Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 752) (1891 12 22)
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Ajinm mms i wT ~\ | ‘ar - Dp mm st oe MO : e ee eae as QRA-Se Um i al SES ET AW a an — oa “1° (a oa! i i Dt oe GEN _Entered a as s Second ‘Class. Matter at | the New York, N. bo Post Office. Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, December 22, 1391. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 752, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vol. XXIX. SSCS ST SES A ST sen abaeLaapanbentiegumasimpapentarenamnietatentmdmantnmtepede — : tN NT os ae a hth see or ! ay \\ ae lls | a \\ AH tet < yi \ ‘= \ fri) | | it i} | i a 4g 4 | 4 il | layers ae 2 -Y lh 1 hi ii | iW | Gar \ a veRLaR | : a 1] fora ie ] i; | i © The Little fia 4 Last Ghanee, BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETC, —_ CHAPTER I. JIM FIDDLER’S GROUND. ‘‘“WaoaP! Hol right up thar, strangers, or I’m a ring-tailed chimpanzeezer ef I don't plump a pleb’ian pill plumb through yer think-works! Hands up, too, ef yer don’t want yer harp ter be hung on ther willers!” Needless to say, the two travelers paused. Mounted upon a pair of common mules, and clad in rough attire, with red shirts, jean trowsers and slouch hat, a glance indicated their character or calling; —they were miners, or per- = eee eee ee haps prospectors just now. DICK SMILED UNDER HIS FLAMING WHISKERS, AT THE SITUATION, WITH KATE ON GUARD,
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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. ’ The foremost was of uncertain age, with hair and beard of the reddest. The other, close be- hind, was a young man, or youth, of slight build. It was night, but not dark, for the moon was looking down out of a clear sky, trying to rival the daylight with its brightness, and everything out of the shadows was plainly seen. The two travelers had just turned a bend in a tortuous coulee through which the trail lay, when they were thus brought to a halt. Just ahead of them, astride of a bowler, sata man with a rifle pressed to his shoulder, his finger on the trigger and the ‘* business-end” of the gun commanding the trail. ‘* Waal, uncle, what’s ther matter hyar?’ the foremost of the two mule-riders coolly ques- tioned. He had raised his hands as requested, but did not seem frightened. **T takes et yer is strangers hyar,” the rough customer on the bowlder conjectured. ‘Then yer takes et about right,” was the response, ‘fer that’s what we be. Is this ther trail ter Last Chance?” * Kit ar’ one of ’em.” ‘“ Then there’s more’n one?” ‘* Yas; an’ yer has tooken ther wrong one,” ** Yer talks in riddles, uncle.” “Then Dll have ter make et plainer to yer. Yer took ther right trail back thar at ther forks, which happens ter be ther wrong one; so yer will have ter go back an’ take ther left, an’ then ye’ll be rigbt,” * But don’t this trail go ter Last Chance?” the a parleyed. ‘I onderstood ye ter say et te) “Yas; so et do, when ther way ar’ open; which same et ain’t ter-night.” “Waal, waal; that’s sort o’ bad. Et ar’ a good ways back to ther fork, old man, an’ my pard hyar ar’ gettin’ tired. What’s ther reason fer ther blockade, anyhow?” “* Don’t fergit ter keep yer hands wellup while wetalks. As I remarked aforetimes, you two is strangers hyarabouts, or ye would know that this byar is what folks call Jim Fiddler’s ground,” ** Jim Fiddler’s ground?” ** Jest so,” “Never heerd tell on’t, uncle.” ‘* So I opined, or yer would ’a’ gone around.” ‘‘ But, who is this hyar Fiddler? An’ what *pjections kin he have ter folks usin’ this hyar trail?” ‘* Hands well up, ef yer please. Never heerd o’ Jim Fiddler, hey? Yer must ha’ come a good ways, strangers.” “Yas; we has come a right smart ways, I allow.” “*Keep ’em up. This hyar Jim Fiddler, yer see, owns ther ground hyarabouts by right 0’ claim an’ settlement, an’ he means ter do as he pleases with hisown. That’s ther long an’ short on’t, ‘ ‘* But he can’t own ther trail.” ’ ‘** Et ’mounts to ther same thing.” ** An’ bow is that?” ‘* He’s got persession an’ holds et,” ** An’ yet I don’t see what harm et kin do ter let peaceable pilgrims pass this way, I don’t like ther idea of turnin’ c’ar back thar to ther forks,” ‘*Can’t help what ye likes, them is orders,” * But, why is et so? I’m a galoot what allus likes ter know ther p’tic’lars of a thing. Why won’t this hyar Jim Fiddler low us ter pass? Seems ter me et ain’t a square deal,” : posted down thar at ther forks, instead o’ way up hyar half a dozen miles away, an’ that would save pilgrims ther trouble o’ goin’ back. Not that I’d kick so hard ef et wasn’t fer my pard; he ain’t strong.” He don’t look very biggisb.” An’ he ain’t. He’s a younger brother o’ mine, ther babby of ther fambly, an’ as all ther rest is dead but us two, I’ve had him for a pard ever since he was a little kid. But, yer hasn’t answered my question. Why won’t Jim Fiddler ‘low us ter go on?” ‘Ye said yer never heerd o’ him, I b’lieve?” ‘Never till you mentioned his handle,” ‘* Hands a leetle higher, ef yer please, Waal, T'll tell yer all about et, an’ then yer kin see fer yerself how et ar’,” “* All right, uncle, let us have ther story while we wait.” ‘“Et ar’ soon told, an'hyar et ar’. Dont let me have ter remind ye about yer hands, meanstwhile. Yer see, this hyar Jim Fiddler an’ a pard staked a big claim hyar a good while ago, an’ worked a mine on ther quiet. They had a reg’lar bonavzar, I’m tellin’ ye, “ Waal, they stored up a big pile of ther yal- ler, and then takin’ about all they could carry with ’em, they buried the rest and went off to buy critters ter pack ther rest of et away with; but bad luck got after ’em about that time, **Widdler’s pard turned up his toes an’ died afore they got to ther settlements, an’ Fiddler himself wasn’t no hand at scoutin’, an’ he got lost, When he did git toa camp he was about dead, an’ was tooken down with a fever an’ never got out ergain. Sich is life. ‘* Waal, et so happened that at thatar’ camp was Fiddler’s son, who had set out ter find his dad. He knowed him at sight, an’ proceeded ter take keer of him best he could, His name was Jim, too, named fer ther old man. He was ‘junior,’ then, but now he ain’t; an’ he’s ther Jim what is holdin’ down this hyar claim, “Ther ’riginal Jim had lugged some of his gold to ther camp, an’ everybody was jest wild ter find out whar he’d digged et. I reckon ef he had told ’em, that camp would ’a’ moved out in less’n ten minutes, an’ he would been left thar all alone wi’ his son; but, he couldn’t tell, then, a ne never found out, fer after some days he ied, **He was buried in proper style, an’ then ther boys jest lit onto ther young Jim ter know ef he bad got ther secret out of his dad, Jim said he hadn’t, but they didn’t believe that, an’ when Jim left ther camp he was dogged by a score or more of fellers what meant ter come in fer a share of his find ef he ever did find et, They believed his dad had given him ther secret, e see, Waal, Jim he struck off ter what is now called Last Chance, which was then a camp of a dozen souls or so, an’ thar he stopped. He went out in ther hills scoutin’ about every day, an’ et wasn’t long afore he got onto ther fack that a good many was follerin’ him around, tryin’ ter keep him in sight. As soon as he tumbled to that, be jest sots down at ther camp an’ thar he stays. But, bless ye, he wasn’t idle; ob, no! An’ what do yerthink he was up to? I'll tell yer. ‘* He was stakin’ ther claim over ergain, from maps he had made, and afore it was guessed what he was up ter he had filed ther claim an’ thar he was. After that be jest got together a band of us fellers, agreein’ ter give us a sartain share in ther find when he found et, an’ he is huntin’ fer et every time ther moon sails, full, an’ we holds the trails clear so’s that noboby kin drop in an’ spy On him, An’ thar ye hey et, stranger; hide, ba’r an’ all,” ‘*Huh!” ejaculated the traveler, when the story ended, ‘‘ef that is all thar is to et, he needn’t be ’fraid o’ me an’ my pard. Wesimply wants ter git ter Last Chance as soon as we kin, an’ that’s all, Wedon’t keer nothin’ about his hid gold.” ‘*Mebbe yer is talkin’ straight,” answered the guardian of the trail, ‘‘ but et ain’t fer me ter break orders, ye know.” ‘Then yer really means ter make us go cl’ar ’round an’ back by another trail? Et ar’ rough, stranger.” ‘*S’pose et ar’, on the leetle cuss, but et can’t be helped, onless—” **Onless what?” the traveler caught up quick- y- ‘*T was goin’ ter say, onless yer camp right byar till mornin’, an’ then ther way will be clear ergain. “* Couldn’t think on’t, onless we had to do et,” was the response to that proposal, ‘‘ My brother pard would git sick an’ die, sure,” ** Waal, thar can’t bé nothin’else done, Yer will have ter turn about an’ face the way ye kem, I’m goin’ ter tell Fiddler ter put up a no- tice at ther forks, so’s he what reads kin run—or however way et goes.” | _ ‘* A good idea; I only wish you had thought of it afore we kem erlong that way. But, say, I have somethin’ ter p’pose to ye.” ‘* Waal, what ar’ et!” ‘** It’s a long ways back ter the forks,” ' “No gittin’ around that ar’ fack.” * ee . I'd do ’most anything ter save goin’ ack, ‘**T don’t doubt et, stranger.” “We is willin’ ter trust you half way ef you hs trust us ther other half, an’so come tera icker, ‘“* What yer mean now?’ “Waal, we'll let yer blindfold us ef you will promise ter take us through to the other side o’ this Jim Fiddler’s claim.” “Haw! haw! haw!” ‘*Ob, but I mean et,” ae yer, really?” * Yes.’ ** Yer don’t know but we'd lead ye off an’ rob ye, or maybe kill ye,” “Et ar’ my turn ter laugh now. What ye would git by robbin’ us wouldn’t be enough ter pay yer back board; an’as fer killin’ us, yer wouldn’t have no call ter do that.” “T opine yer is right, by ther looks of ye,” ‘*Then what do you yer say to et?” ‘**T can’t leave my post.” ‘* But can’t you call some one else that can guide us?” ‘*No; but I'll tell ye what yer kin do,” *¢ An’ what ar’ that?” ‘Et ar’ ’inost time fer ther capting of ther guard ter be round,” Waal?” ‘* Ef yer wants ter wait till he comes, yer kin see what be has ter say to yer idee. Mebby he'll pass ver through.” ‘¢ We'll do et. But, fer ther love o’ goodness let us put our hands down now, fer we won’t beable ter use ’em ina week if we holds’em up any longer.” “Yer kin put em down, fer I takes ye ter be peaceable cusses; but at ther fu’st sign o’ yer reachin’ fer a gun I'll do jest what I said I would; I'll puke ther pleb’ian plumbago at ye in a way that will make ye sick an’ dizzy, you bet.” ‘* Oh, yer won’t have no trouble wi’ us, that 1 promise ye,” declared the traveler. ‘‘ Put down yer hands, Willie, me boy!” turning to his slen- der companion, “ an’ be keerful ter keep ’em out in sight all ther time. That’s it; an’ now we will rest easy till ther capting gits hyar.” CHAPTER II. TELLS WHO THE TRAVELERS WERE, TuaT little understanding arranged, the man on the bowlder assumed a less belligerent atti- tude, He lowered his rifle, allowing its butt to drop to the ground and leaning on the muzzle with folded arms, rested bis chin on his arms, The travelers having adjusted themselves to more comfortable positions on their beasts of burden, rode forward to within a pace or two of the bowlder on which the man sat. ‘‘ This ar’ a heap more comfortable than a-set- tin’ wi’ stiff back an’ holdin’ up yer paws as if invitin’ ther moon ter come down,” the elder of the travelers remarked, in his cool and easy- going manner. ‘““Yas; I opine et ar’,” was the response. ‘*What mougbt yer handle be, ef yer don’t mind tellin’?” : ‘* Don’t mind tellin’ a body that ar’,” was the prompt answer. ‘‘ My name ar’ Adam Tablet an’ my brother’s name ar’ Willyum, though if allus calls him Willie, a way I got inter when he was a kid.” ‘¢ You is miners, I takes et.” “7 am, but not Willie. He’s too frail fer that,” “Then what do he do?” ‘Tends to ther cookin’, an’ sech Jike, when we is in camp. I don’t ‘low him ter work hard.” ' ** You is a good speciment of ther big brother, I should say. Not many of ’em would keer a snap what omed of their brothers, I opine.” ‘* Et rups in ther fambly, pard. We allus was *fectionate ter one ‘nother, ye see. What’s yer own name?” ““My name? Waal, et ain’t no secret as I knows on, an’ as I ain’t ’shamed of et yer is wel- come to know whatet ar’, Dominick Draper ar’ my handle.” ‘*That’s a name not likely ter be a counter- feited, [ should say.” ** it ar’ a good name, an’ one that I’m ruther proud of, I tell yer, Goin’ ter Last Chance lookin’ fer work?” ‘You hev hit et, pard, We bas been doin’ some prospectin’, but funds hev got so ’tarnel low that I have got ter go back to ther sweat of me brow ergain. Reckon I hear yer capting comin’ now.’ Tbe guardian of the way pricked up his ears and listened. ‘“‘Darn me ef I hear anything,” he said. ‘‘Then your ears ain’t as sharp as mine,” de- clared Mr, Tablet. ‘‘ Somebody is comin’, that’s sure,” ‘““Yonr ears must be sharper’n needles, an’ that’s ther fack, I can’t hear a thing yet.” They listened again, and now Mr. Draper was able to catch the sound of steps coming toward bis post from the rear way. , ‘©T hears ’em now,” he said. ‘* Yes; I opine et ar’ ther capting comin’, an’ [’ll bring my old gun up to ther front ergain ef yer don’t keer.” With his words he brought the rifle up and covered the travelers with it, but did not put it to his shoulder. The steps became rapidly more audible, and
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in a few moments a man came in sight around a bend, Like Mr. Draper, he was a rough-looking customer, and was similarly armed. * Hillo!” he exclaimed, at sight of the trav- elers. ‘* Hyar’s a brace of ’em, capting,” the guard informed, ‘So I see. What is ye waitin’ for, pilgrims?” ‘* Waitin’ fer you,” answered Mr, Tablet. ‘* Wer me?” in surprise. ‘* Prezack, Yer man byar said yer would soon be erlong, an’ we thort we’d jest hold on an’ see ye,” ‘* Waal, what do ye want?” ‘* Yer man won't ‘low us ter go no furder this way.” ‘* That’s right; that’s what he is here for.” * An’ he said we'd have ter tail to an’ go back to ther forks an’ take another trail ter git to Last Chance,” ‘* That’s about ther size of et, stranger.” “ An’ that’s ther p’int, Yer see, my brother hyar, not over strong, is about tuckered out, an’ we want ter git to ther camp as soon as we kin. I p’posed to yer man hyar that you blind- fold us an’ conduct us through this byar fer- bidden ground.” “Ther deuce yer did,” ‘Yas; yer see et ar’ like this: We is willin’ ter trust you if you is willin’ ter trust us, an’ you would have et all yer own way any- how. I hope yer will do et, pard, fer really we don’t want ter go back all that ways to ther forks ergain.” The captain of the guard rubbed his chin, ‘* What do yer think about tbis, Dominick?” he asked of his man. ** Ef it was me, I wouldn’t ’bject to et,” waa the reply. ‘They is peaceable enough; held up their hands like good boys when I invited ’em ter do et, an’ kev been good as pie ever sence,” ‘Ef yer had only had yer man posted down at ther forks,” said the traveler of the red hair, **et would ’a’ been all right; we wouldn’t been put out so much, But, ter let us come on fer half a dozen miles er more, and then turn us around, _ that’s a leetle rough.” ‘* Then yer is willin’ ter be blindfolded?” “Yas; ef yer will give us yer word as a white man that yer won’t play us no scrub tricks,” ‘And will you allow us ter disarm ye?” **Waull, now, yer couldn’t expect sane men ter agree ter that,” ' “Then we reckons et ar’no go. Yer might pop us over, an’ try ter find out ther secret,” ‘We don’t keer nothin’ about Fiddler's secret,” Mr. Tablet declared. ‘‘ All we is after is ter git ter Last Chance without goin’ back to ther forks,” “Waal, let us take yer weepins an’ we'll do what yer wants us to, Ill lead ye through to other side,” ‘“¢ Yer means us fair, an’ no tricks about et?” ‘*- Vas; a square deal, straight.” “ An’ what ther capting tells yer, yer kin pend on,” vouched the guardsmen, “Waal, we'll do et,” the traveler finally agreed. ‘* Yer won’t have no call ter kill us, an’ robbin’ us wouldn’t pay fer ther salt ye eat, fer we is nigh about strapped.” ‘* Yer kin trust me,” ‘‘All right. Hand me yer gun an’ knife, Willie, lad, an’ Dll pass’em over to ther gent, Then I'll blind yer eyes till yer will think yer is in ther shades o’ Egypt.” The younger traveler Sadunsteivang'd handed over his weapons, the elder passing them on to the captain of the guard; after which his eyes were securely blindfolded by the folds of a great red handkerchief. “Thar,” remarked Adam, “ yer kin examine that bit o’ work ef yer wants to, capting, but yer will find et all right. Now, byar’s my own weepin’s, an’-yer kin tie my eyes up in like man- ner jest as soon as ye please; an’ ther sooner ther better.” He handed over a brace of revolvers and a knife as be spoke, and leaned over to receive the bandage. The weapons were taken, thrust carelessly into the mau’s belt, and when a suitable band- age had been found, Mr. Tablet was properly blindfolded. | “There, I guess yer will do,” the man de- in “Yes, sir; I can’t see anything at all,” was the answer. It was tbe first time the younger man had spoken, and his voice was in keeping with his appearance—not strong yet masculine enough in tone, and was not unlike that of the usual youth just leaving boyhood behind him, ‘*Now we'll be off,” answered the captain. ‘This isa favor l’'m doin’ fer ye, strangers, an’ I hope ye will ’preciate et. Don’t try on no tricks wi’ me, ef yer bas any regard fer yer com- fort.” ‘Don’t know what tricks we could play, blindfolded an’ disarmed,” laughingly respond- ed Adain, ‘‘ We’re in your power now, an’ will have ter go whar you is a mind ter lead us,” “An et was yer willin’ness ter be disarmed that won ye ther favor. Ef yer had kicked, back yer would ’a’ bad ter gone.” ‘* Ob, we is goin’ ter trust ye, seein’ that thar’s no reason why ye should try ter fool us,” ‘*Then we'll be off. Dominick, keep yer eyes open an’ let nobody pass.” ‘* You bet, capting,” was the response, With that the man laid hold upon the bridle of Mr. Tablet’s mule and started forward, the other mule following readily enough. Some conversation was carried on as they proceeded,, but nothing of importance to the story in hafid, and nothing happened hy the way so far as could be known then. Once the party passed a place where voices were heard, and where some ono exchanged a jest with the guide, but that was all and it told nothing of what was going on, and at last the guide came to a stop, ‘* Waal, hyar we ar’,” he said., *‘ Be we out o’ Jim Fiddler’s domain?” asked the elder brother. ‘* Yas; yer is clear through now, an’ kin go on whar ye please. Hold down an’ Pll take off yor blinders,” Mr. Tablet leaned over and the bandage was quickly removed from his eyes, and his weapons were given back into his bands, ‘* Much ’bliged to ye fer ther trouble we has put ye to,” hesaid. ‘* Yer has done us a big favor, an’ any time we kin return et, let us know. Hold hyar, Willie, an’ ll take off that handkercher,” It was quickly done, and the younger bro- ther’s weapons were given back to him in like manner. ‘¢Tt wasn’t much out of me way,” responded the captain of the guard, ‘‘ seein’ that I had to come hyer to see ther man ou post anyhow, so yer is welcome to ther favor yer has got, Et ain’t likely ter happen ergain, hows’ever.” .“"No; I s’pose not, fer we'll be wise enough ter ro around next time. This hyar is ther trail ter ast Chance, I opine.” “Yas; keep right ahead till ye comes to a fork, and thar ye take ther right-hand trail an’ yer will soon be thar.” “ All right; an’ good-night to ye, capting!” “* Good-night, pilgrims!” And so they parted, the travelers going on their way at their same slow pace, while the captain of the guard retraced bis steps. ‘‘ Well, Kate,” spoke the elder brother, in low tone, presently, as they rode sido by side, ‘* we have passed through this mysterious Jim Fid- dler’s ground. What is the result?” “Something to be proud of, Dick,” was the cheery response. ‘‘ My little Kodak has done its work, and we have half a dozen pictures that will help gee greatly in the work you have undertaken, could see well enougb, the way you fixed me.” Ha! then these mule-drivers were other than they seemed! Evenso, They were none other than the redoubtable Richard of Deadwood, and his ever ready little wife, Kodak Kate, CHAPTER III. TECUMSEH THE HAUNTED, _ : Last CHANCE was a camp not essentially dif- ferent from the hundreds of its kind throughout the West. It bad its principal mine, the only apology it bad to offer for existing at all; and its hotel, leading saloon and quota of cabins and shanties. ‘ The mine was called the ‘Peck o’ Dirt,” the hotel bore the dignified name of ‘* Palace Royal,” while the one leading saloon rejoiced in the unique appellation—** Never-Get-Left.” The evening hour was quite far advanced when Adam Tablet and bis slender and youthful brother rode into the camp, Al Jobnson, familiarly known as ‘‘ Tecum- seh,” had just rolled out of the Never-Get-Left, where he seldom did get left when anything was offered in the way of bottled exhilaration; and was rolling along toward bis shanty singing at the top of bis voice, Jr.’s, Deathblow. 3 get ac Are | would!—a woo—ing gol’? he bel- owed: “Whether!—his mother !—would let ‘im!—or no! Sing iddley !—diddley !|—diddley—doo!—de-doo! —de-doo}”” Tecumseh, by the way, was a great singer, but that was the only song he knew, and that was all he knew of it. He would repeat it over and over again for an hour at a stretch, some- times, unless somebody choked him off. And he was repeating it for sometbing like the twentieth time now, when he was suddenly in- terrupted. He was taking the middle of thestreet toward his domicile, that being best suited to his pres- ent unsteady condition, and had covered perhaps two-thirds of the distance from the Never-Get- Left to his shanty, when, chancing to look up, he discovered that he was about running over a couple of mules and their riders. He stopped short, just in time to escape the collision. ‘*Hillo!” be hiccoughed; ‘ hillo! billol Wh don't yer take up ther hull road an’ be done wit et? ‘Jest what I was goin’ ter ax you,” the fore- most of the riders responded, ‘* You seem ter be jolly ter-night, pardner. Must feel good, don’t ye?” ‘‘ Never felt better in me life,” Tecumseh re- sponded to that. “That's good, Allers like ter see mo feller critters happy. We won't detain ye, an’ we'll stand still while ye git past.” ‘* All right, boss; that’s ther safest thing ter do, I kem mighty near ter runnin’ inter ye, an’ no mistake ’bout that. Wouldn’t want ter do nothin’ o’ that kind, y’ know.” ‘*Of course not.” ‘Waal, g’-night, pards.” ** Good-night.” Tecumseh had worked his way around the mules by this time, and after saying his good- night, rolled on his way again, resuming his singing ; “A frog!—he would!—” and the rest of it. The new-comers went on their way toward the lighted part of the camp, that showing them where the hotel and saloons were, and ere long drew up at the hotel in all good style, Meanwhile Tecumseh had reached his shanty, where an adventure awaited him that was des- tioned to sober him up. He had kept right on singing, verse after verse of his favorite song, and every verse the same thing over sgain, and as he approached his door he was just winding up the last. Suddenly he stopped short, right between points as it were, and stared at the door of his shanty in an interesting way. This shanty was on the south side of the ono street of the camp, and the moonlight falling aslant over it left a broad shadow all along the front, There in that shadow, and leaning idly against the door of the shanty, was what Tecumseh at first took to be the form of a man, It was a dark object, and in his condition the mistake was excusable. ‘* Hillo!” he hiecoughed, ** what doin’ hyar?” There was no response, “What y’ doin’ hyar, I say?’ Tecumseh de- manded yet again, Still there was no response, and the dark figure did not deign to make even a move. ““Reckon Dll have ter boost ye outen that,” remarked Mr. Johnson, boldly, but with a one hesitation that showed he was slightly awed, , oy craned his neck forward to take a closer ook, _ It hadn’t so much the appearance of a man as it had had at first. He took a step nearer, placing one foot upon the loose and tricky stoop before his door, As he did so, the object, whatever it was, sud- denly reared up from its slightly reclining atti- tude, and sprung at bim, With a wild whoop Tecumseh sprung back, but his heels caught as he did so and down on his back he went, and down came that dread something right upon him, The frightened camp bummer made all haste to scramble out from under it, and it struck the ground with a hollow sound and lay still in the white moonlight beyond the shadow of the shanty. Tecumseh had let several more yells out of him, but now as he sat up and took a look at the thing, he was for a second or so quiet. The next second, however, be let out a yell louder than ever, sprung to bis feet, and was off like the wind, That mysterious something had proved to be a coffin!
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“ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. Tecumseh never stopped until, hatless and breathless, be bounded into the Never-Get-Left. In the mean time again, to keep events in order, the new-comers had applied for accom- modations at the botel, and had been informed that the place was full. They had not dismounted, but bad talked with the proprietor from their saddles, and he had just directed them to the Never-Get-Loft across the way, when Tecumseh came tearing down the road at full speed. “Something wrong with Peerscumshe,” re- marked the landlord of the botel. ** Yas; ther tgent do seem ter be in somethin’ of a hurry,” remarked the elder of the travelers, They were turning their mules away as he spoke, and headed for the saloon as Tecumseh dashed past them and flung the door open wide, The open door seemed an invitation not to be resisted, for the foremost of the strangers ad- vanced and rode his mule right into the saloon, his slender pard following. “So, the inmates of the place bad barely re- cognized the frightened face of the panting Tecumseh, when the mules’ hoofs thundered on the floor, and the natural inference drawn was that these strangers were responsible for his fright, Snooks Snickerson, the proprietor of the saloon, held up his hands in horror at this unseemly in- vasion, ** Hol’ on!” he cried, waving hisarms, ‘ hol’ on! This hyar ain’t no stable, strangers! Yer mustn’t bring yer animiles in hyer!” Tecumseh, at the sound of the heavy tread be- hind him, had turned to learn what it was before be bad had time to make known any- thing of the discovery he bad made, As he saw the mules and their riders, he recognized them as the ones he had met only a few minutes before, and suddenly a forgotten bit of superstition flashed into his mind and he gave a yell. “ Keep ’em off!” he screamed, ‘‘ keep ’em off!” This wild cry caused the new-comers to look at him, and they recogniz-d him as the over- joyful individual they bad come so near to run- <i over. ithout paying any attention to the protest of the gi wrap ed of the saloon against the pres- ence of their animals, the elder of the strangers addressed himself to Tecumseb, “ Why, billo!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ Et ar’ you, ain’t et. What ye doin’ hyar so soon? We met ye zigzagging up ther road not a mioute ago.” ‘* Yas; an’ et was you what done et, too,” Tecumseh asserted in his frightened way, ‘Et was you what done et, Bad luck ez ever was ter meet mules by moonlight, an’ I’d orter knowed et.” ‘* What has they done to ye, Peerscumshe?” asked one man. “That is what I would like to know, too,” re- marked the new-comer of the red hair and beard, ‘* What is it you accuse us of, pardner?” ‘* Yer bas ’witched me, that’s what,” Tecum- seh cried. ** Bewitched yer!” ‘Yas; that’s what yer has!” ‘Tn what way?” The strangers were as much interested as any- body else. “Why, yer made me see things, that’s what yer has done! Yer has got me full o’ ba’nts,” “Snakes in ther boots,” suggested one man in the crowd, “Et looks like et, an’ that’s ther fact,” de- _ clared the spokesman of the new-comers, ** But I tell yer et ain’t /” protested Tecumseh, ‘Et ar’ ha’nts, that’s what et ar’, an’ nothin’ else. Reckon’ J’d orter know!” This was argument that those who knew bim best bad to admit, for Tecumseh had had “‘ saakes in the boots” more than once to their knowledge, and certainly ought to bea judge of that. ““What manner o’ spook iset ye hev seen?” asked the mounted stranger. Tecumseh was recovering his wind a little now, and seemed relieved to see that the men on the mules were flesh and blood, “Et war a coffiog, that’s what et war,” he de- clared, Er coffiug!” exclaimed more than one, “'That’s what I said,” ‘Et have sobered Al up some, anyhow, what- ever et was,” remarked one of the men, ‘ He war rollin’ when he left hyar,” ‘ Waal,” said the new-comer, “ef et war a coffing yer seen, yer needn’t 'cuse me of bringin’ et; I don’t deal in that line or furnychure.” is raised a little ripple of laughter. _“ Yer must ’a’ dreamed et, Peerscumshe,” bantered one man, “Dream nothin’,” snapped Tecumseh, indig- nantly. ‘*Reckon I knows a coffing when I sees et. , ‘* But is yer sure et was ther rale article? Meb- by et was only a loose board that dropped down off ther sidin’ of yer shebang.” ‘* You jest come erlong wi’ me, an’ I’ll show ye that et wasn’t no board off o’ ther sidin’, but ther real thing,” Tecumseh invited. ‘' Didn’t it jump up at me when I went ter go in?” This brought forth a howl of laughter. ae idea of a coffin’s having power to move of itself! ‘* But I tell yer et ar’ so!” insisted Tecumseh, getting mad. ‘tI hadn’t no sooner stepped on ther stoop ’n what et jumped up an’ bit me a lick that sent me spinnin’ out inter ther road, an’ thar et kem down on top o’ me ker-thump! Come er- long, ef yer don’t think I’m tellin’ ye straight,” A little more urging, and several fellows agreed to accompany him back to his shanty, and they set forth, : And then it was that the new-comers applied for lodging at the Never-Get-Left, only to find that place full, like the hotel, and that they could not be accommodated. For the moment Adam Table{ was in a quandary. Had he been alone, i®would have mattered little where he slept, but for his slender brother some sort of decent shelter was necessary and must be had, CHAPTER IV. MESSAGE OF MYSTERY. ‘““FLASN’? yer got a cubby-hole nowhar that we kin crawl inter?” insisted the elder of the stran- gers. ‘“‘Nary a hole anywhar,” Snickerson declared, ‘Weis as full as a tick, same as they is over at the hotel.” “That ar’ bad, mighty bad, Yer saloon ruther belies its name, if that’s its name what pig got up thar over ther bar—Never-Get- eft. ‘* Yas, that’s ther name of et, stranger; an’ I don’t see bow et belies itself, as yer calls et.” ‘“ Why, ther name ar’ Never-Get-Left, but I have got left purty bad, et seems,” ‘*That’s you, me friend; not ther saloon. Ther saloon ar’ all right.” 3 ‘On, 1 see; ther odds is ther difference, I take et. , ‘* That’s erbout ther size of et, stranger.” ‘What be we goin’ ter do, Willie, lad?’ the red-bearded traveler asked, as ke turned to bis companion. ‘*T don’t know, Adam,” was the response, ‘* Tt looks as though we shall have to camp out.” *¢ But you can’t do nothin’ like that; yer knows yer can’t; et would be ther death of ye,” ‘* Maybe we can find room to crawl into the stable with the mules. That will be better than nothing.” “And not much better, neither. I reckon I have an idee that will beat that all out o’ time Willie, me son,” ‘Good thing ef yer has,” put in the proprie- tor, ‘*Et ain’t likely yer will find ary stable fer yer mules, let alone yerselves, Thar’s only one in ther camp, an’ that’s at ther hotel an’ et ar’ cram full,” ‘“What is your idea, Adam?” the younger brother asked. ** Why, mebby we kin find a shanty that’s ter rent,” the elder brother explained, “T doubt et,” said Snickerson, ‘* Thar ain’t one but what’s tooken. Fact is, ther hull camp ar’ fuller’n ct kin hold, stranger.” '*So et seems ter be,” agreed the traveler, ‘* Does ary man hyar know of ary cabin or shanty what me an’ me pard kin hire?” turning to the crowd, They were still op their mules, just as they had entered, the room, and the proprietor was still eying them nervously, No one knew of a shanty to be had, but one or two had offered to share their humble quar- ters with the strangers, a proposition that was under consideration when Tecumseh returned. He bounded into the room with a whoop, ‘* Et wa’n’t no coffing, hey?” he shouted, ‘' Jest cast yer eyes hyar an’ see!” As be spoke he waved bis hand toward the door, and those who had gone out with him en- tered bearing a rude coffin. ‘*B’thunder et ar’, sure enough!” exclaimed Snickerson, “‘ Jest_asif I didn’t know et wasn’t snakes!” sneered Tecumseh, The new-comers had turned to face the door, and took a look at the rude coffin as the men put it down, ** An’ jest as if Willie an’ me had Ingged sech a thing as that all ther way hyer ter put afore yer door,” the elder brother observed, ee Said one man: , ‘* Somebody hyar must hev gone inter the on- dertakin’ business,” “Yas,” from another; ‘‘ an’ he hev sent Peer- scumshe a sample free gratis fer nothin’ ter ad- vertise bis biz,” ‘* Thinkin’ he’d be about ther fu’st galoot what would meed one, eh?” struck in yet another, “Et ar’ atwarnin’ ter let up on hard drink, Al,” **You ber darn!” Tecumseh growled. ‘ Et ar’some darn witch-work, that’s what et ar’, an’ you kin bet yer boots that I don’t sleep in that shanty this night, not ef I know et.” ‘* What’s that you say?’ quickly caught up the red-bearded stranger. “*T say yer don’t ketch this hyar rooster sleep- in’ thar this night, Et ar’ a bad omen ter finda coffing by yer door,” ‘That's what I’ve heard,” the stranger agreed. ‘Et sartainly looks that way, anyhow. What will yer take fer ther use of yer shanty? Me an’ my pard can’t get no lodgin’,” ** Dare yer sleep thar?” “‘Sartainly, Ther coffing must’ a’ been fer you; we ain’t in et, ez et wur, this time,” ‘* How long do yer want ther shebang?” “Tll take et fer a week, ef yer terms don't overtop my pile.” ‘*Give me five dollars in ther coin of ther realm, an’ et ar’ your shebang fer ther period stipulated.” * Kc ar’ a bargain, Ill do et, if I kin rake up ther needful. We ain’t overflusb, me an’ my pard, an’ [’m byar lookin’ fer work anyhow.” He went down into one pocket, then into an- other, fishing up a little money from each, but couldn’t seem to reach the amount, so he turned. to bis slender companion and demanded: ‘‘ Have you got anv of ther stuff about ye, Willie? Ef yer hasn’t, I’m afraid we're left ergain.” ““T think I’ve got some small change, but I don’t know how much,” was the response, The younger felt in his pockets, then, and drew out some change, and with it came out a wadded bill. ‘ } This he opened and looked at, as if with sur- rise, ar Here’s something I had forgot,” he said. ‘Tt will help you out nicely,” ‘* What ar’ et, lad?” * A two-dollar bill.” ‘© A two-dollar in ther good green! My, but we ar’ better off ’» I thort we was, Willie,” The elder brother accepted it, made up the right amount and passed it over to Tecumseh, and the bargain was sealed. ‘* And now ef yer will please ter get them ’ar mules out of here,” requested the proprietor. ‘* Et ar’ somethin’ we ain’t used to, hyar.” ‘*Sartainly, sir, sartainly!” pramens the trav- eler of the red beard, ‘‘We is goin’ now. Friend,” to Tecumseh, ‘‘wi'l you escort us to this hyar dug-out o’ yours? Et ar’ a small favor, an’— ‘Ter be sure,” agreed Tecumseh. ‘‘ Come right erlong. Yer can’t be expected ter guess which mansion ar’ mine, that’s a fact.” He started for the door, and the travelers started to follow, but a pace or two brougbt them to the coffiin, and there they stopped, ** See hyar,” the elder traveler called out. ‘¢ What ar’ et?” asked the camp bummer. “‘Thar’s somethin’ in this hyar coffing © yours.” ‘*Wh—what!” ‘‘T say thar’s somethin’ in ther coffing.” Those immediately near stooped to examine the thing to ascertain, The lower part of the coffin was covered over with its lid, only the upper quarter being open. Within the open end, and just far enough up to catch the searching eye, was a something white that bad drawn attention, One man reached within and drew it out. 1t proved to be a piece of white card, on which something was written, ** Le’s see et,” requested the red-bearded stran- ger on the mule, putting out his hand in a way that forestalled refusal. : It was handed to him, and after looking at it for a moment in silence, he read itout aloud. It was to the following effect: “To THe FINDER:— ** Accept this coffin as a gentle reminder of what you will be in need of if you become too curious about certain things which doa't c cern you. You won't be warned again, but at the next offense you wil be init, Bear it in mind. *“*CoMMITTEE OF ComMPULSION.” As soon as he had read it, the eyes of the stranger sought the face of Mr, Tecumseh, The fellow had paled, and was looking de- j.
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow 5 cidedly uncomtortable, The rest of the crowd looked at the stranger ‘**What do yer make out of et? queried Snickerson, “ IT don’t make anything out of et,” answered the reader ‘ Et isn’t addressed ter me,” © That ar so et says ther finder’ ‘An that war Peerscumshe!” * But darp me ef 1 know anything erbout et,” ‘Tecumseh protested, ’ Kt war against your door, anyhow. ’cordin: to yer own tell,” reminded the proprietor, “* How ‘bout ther Committee o: Compulsion?” asked Adam Tablet, ‘ Never heerd on ‘em afore,’ Snickerson, ‘ Et seems ter be somethin’ of a mystery. then. don’t et?” ‘That's jest what et do, fer a fact.’ * | tell yer et ar’ witches,” insisted Tecumseh, ‘Et ar ther wu’st kind o luck ter meet mules by moonlight. as I have often heerd tell.’ “Et might ‘a’ been wuss luck fer you, ef we hadn’t stopped afore we met ye,” reminded Adam Tablet, ‘* You was goin et blind, an’ rollin’ all over ther road an’ if we hadn’t stopped we'd ’a’ run over ye.’ * Mules ha’n’t got nothin ter do wi’ this hyar coffing,’ declared Snooks Snickerson, ‘* Thar’s a mystery hyar bigger’n both mules tergether, Whar did ther coffing come from? Who is ther Committees o Compulsion? An’ what grudge hey they got ergainst Peerscumshe?” ““That’s ther way ter put et,’ cried Mr, Tab- let. ‘ You was cut out fer a lawyer, but sp’ilt in ther bakin’, Them’s ther proper questions, an’ et bit’s me you is ther proper man ter find out all about et. I ain’t in et, ye know, seein’s I’m a stranger byar. but mebby i will be in et, as I’m goin’ ter take that shanty,” ** By ther way, who is ye?” asked Snickerson, ** Adam Tablet, at yer service; an’ me younger brother Willyum, Willie fer short.” Other questions were asked, similar to what have been quoted before, all of which were promptly answered by Mr. Tablet, And finally be and his young brother took leave of the saloon, and, guided by Tecumseb, set out in the direction of that citizen’s cabin, or shanty. ; The coffin had been left in the saloon, a mys- tery that none could solve. The camp bummer threw open his residence for inspection, and finding it to be in a fair state of cleanliness, the travelers took possegs- ion, When they had closed the door, having parted with the owner and secured the mules in the rear, they sat down to talk over the situation and to speculate upon the mystery of the coffin, They did not talk long, however, The hour was already late, they were weary, and after making sure the shanty was securely fastened they prepared their bed on the floor and were soon asleep, A little later the saloon closed, the lights went out, and soon the camp was wrapped in slumber, answered CHAPTER V, DICK AT THF MINE, NorHina happened to ‘interrupt. The camp err on, and in due time morning dawned, dam Tablet was abroad early, scouting around for something to eat, As soon as the one store of the place was open he was a customer, laying in provisions, By the time Adam and his slender brother had breakfasted, the camp was up and ready to be- gin the business of the Gay Leaving Willie, as he called him, at the shanty, Adam made his way to the hotel, where he made inquiry for the boss of the Peck o' Dirt Mine, Mr Mansen Gilberts, the manager of the mine, happened to be in the bar-room at the time, and he was directed to him, “ Good-mornin’, sir,” Adam greeted, touching his hat, ** What do you want?” was the blunt question, passing the greeting. “Ther dispenser of p’izen thar says you is ther boss of ther Peck o’ Dirt, I want ter see e, “Well, what of it? What do you want to see me for?” ‘*T want ter hit ye fer a job, that’s what.’ ‘Don’t want any men.” ** But I want a job though, an’ mighty bad.’ **Can’t help that, we are full, Sorry for you. but it can’t be helped,” “See here, I am a square feller, an’ I’m giv- \ in’ yea square tip. Ihave got ter have work or starve,’ ‘Good heavens, man, this mine isn’t a char- ity institution! e bave got a bigger pension roll now than we know what to do with,” ‘Then it’s all up,” sighed the supplicant, ‘I don’t know what Vl do. I wouldn't keer so much fer meself, but it’s me younger brother what’ll have ter suffer, Et’s bard,” ** Who are you, and where are you from?” ‘My name is Adam Tablet, and I’m last from Hard-up Carp. Couldn’t get any work there, and sostruck out fer here, Thername o’ this camp sort 0’ struck my fancy, seein’ as it was my last chance. an’ I was told I might git work hyar, * Who told you that?” ‘A man named Mister Sharp,” The mine-manager started aud looked at the man keenly. ‘*Mr, Sharp?” he repeated, slowly, ‘*Yes, he said he knowed you, an’ that he was ’most sure you'd hire me,” ** And he sent you here?’ ‘* Waal, yes, it was him that ruther headed me this way.” “Tf that’s the case I'll have to see what I can do for you. I’m going to the mine now, so come along with me.” Mansen Gilberts left the room, Adim Tablet following him, and went straight to the office of tbe mine, He was manager and superintendent of the mine together, and was always on hand early, lt was near time to begin the work of the day, and the men were gathering. Most of them cast looks of curiosity upon the red-whiskered stranger. The manager spoke to the men, gave some di- rectiéns to a foreman, and opened the office and told Tablet to enter, ** So,” he said, “you are the man I am looking for, are you?” “*T suppose I am,” was the answer, ‘tif you were looking for Dick Bristol.” ~ *¢ Deadwood Dick, you mean,” ‘Ves; either name will fetch me when I’m called,” ‘No one could ever suspect you, though I never saw your face before, I tako it you are in disguise.” “Slightly so, I admit.” ts Why didn’t you tell me right out who you are?’ **Didn’t consider it safe, with other ears arvund. It isn’t hardly safe here, but we'll take the risk.” ‘*T see you are full of caution.” ‘** Have to be,” ** Well, about the case; do you think you can make anything out of it?” “T don’t know. That remains to be seen, First, I must get established here as acommon laborer, putting in my time at the mine, and having the evenings to scout around in,” “ All right, that is as good as done.” it My name is Adam ‘Tablet, don’t forget : yj won't.” “And [havea young partner with me whom Il call Willie.” ‘* Where is he?” “At the shanty, He passes for my younger brother.” ** What shanty bave you got? ““T believe the fellow wio owns it is called Tecumseh,” “The greatest bummerinthecamp. I know him well enough, Had the wits almost frighten- ed out of bim Jast night, I hear,” ‘By the coffin he found. leaning against the door of his shanty,” eery.en2”? “There ig something back of that piece of business,” * You think so?” , ‘ I certainly do, Who is this Committee of Compulsion, think you?” ** You ask me too much,” * Never heard of them before?” * No; something new,” ‘ We'll bave to find out, it we can, and I think I know where to begin.” “ ng then you are op the trail already, are you ‘* [ don’t know, but it strikes me that the per- son that coffin was intended for was the occu- pant of that shanty.” * That’s so; it looks that way.” ‘“‘And there’s some reason why they have warned him, It is just possible that he knows something,” ““You may be right; but do you think that has anything to do with our ease?” ‘*T don’t know. Possibly it has.” ‘Have you made any inquiries concerning Jim Viddler’s ground?” ‘*My pard and I came through Jim Fiddler’s ground last night.’ “The deuce you did,’ in greatest surprise. ‘We did just that, but we had to submit to being blindfolded, ** Little good it did vou, then,’ **Don’t you be too sure of that, I attended to the blindfolding of my little partner.” ‘“* Ha! that looks more like it, What did you find out?” “ We got some pointers, ae to begin work — on, But, suppose you tell me all you can about it! ‘Tf have done so already in my letters to you, sir. We have grown tired of the game this Jim Fiddler is playing, and we mean to break it up if we can,” ‘*ixactly; you told me that.” ‘You see, he takes it into his head ovccasion- ally to bunt for that lost gold, and he does it by night, He posts guardsmen on all the trails, and not a soul can pass till be gives permission,” ‘“‘ Rather a nuisance for the late traveler ” ‘* As no doubt you came near finding out last nighr.” ‘Yes; we were stopped allin good style, as we expected to be,” ‘“*As I say, it has got to bea tiresome thing, and we mean to break itup. We bave never seen this man Fiddler, and I begin to think there is more back of it than is to be seen from the front.” ‘Tt is quite likely that you are right. We'll investigate the thing a little on the quiet, Any- thing particular to tell me?” ** No, I guess not,” “Then take me out and put me at work, Give me something that won’t be too rough on my bands,” ** All right, come along with me, Tablet,” Mr. Gilberts rose and stepped out through a back door, and his new employee followed, Crossing over to the tunnel, the manager there looked up the foreman and put the new man ae his charge, with directions what he was to do, The foreman was one Jackson Budge, He was a good sort uf a fellow, and was pretty well liked, But among the men was one tough customer who was called Hard-hitter Jeems, ‘““He was a bully of the bullwhacker type. one who always liked to have his own way, an who ’most always did, too, It so happened that the work that had been given the new-comer was work that Jeems had been doing for a time, in a temporary way, and he looked upon it as his own, Perhaps there was some justice in bis claim to the post, but that had nothing to do with the new-comer, and the manager had a right to make whatever change he saw fit, undoubtedly, The manager was brief and direct in what he had to say, and went away at once, and as be was a man of few words and those full of busi- ness every time, there was but one thing for the foreman to do, ; “Pm afraid this is going to make trouble,” Budge remarked to Dick, as he led the way. ** How is that?” Dick asked, ‘¢ Why, it ousts one of ther worst men I’ve got ter deal with,” : “That’s ratherrough on him, It don’t put him out altogether, does it?” ** No, but be’ll bave to take harder work,” ““m sorry fer that, After I git my hands hardened up a leetle, though, I'll change with him, if it’s all right,” “That won't be no use, ferif ther boss has said this is ther job you is ter have that settles et “* You're not afraid of this man, be ye” ‘¢He’s no kitten. He is called Hard-hitter Jeems, and ke kin handle anything that he’s ever tackled yet.” ‘*A bad man, hey? Waal, I hope thar won't be po trouble.” In a moment more they were at the place where the men were at work, and Dick singled out Mr Jeems at a glance, He was & strapping big fellow, with the frame of a giant, and as ugly and surly a face as Dick had ever seen. He was indeed no kitten, as Budge bad said, “Hard-hitter,’ said the foreman, rather timidly, * ther boss has ordered me to make a change.” The big fellow looked up, eyed the new-comer, and responded; ** He hev, hey?” , ) " “Yes; this man is totake your place there,
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6 and you will have to go back to your old work for the present.” ‘“*That’s what ther boss sez, is et?’ the giant bullwhacker sneered. ‘‘ Waal, I have got some- thin’ ter say about that meself, I ruther guess,” ‘* Orders is orders, here, yer know, Jeems.” “Yas; an’ right isright. This hyar post ar’ mine, an’ 1 means ter hold et. Not that I wants ter make trouble fer you, Budge, but I ain’t goin’ ter ‘low nodarn red-headed galoot of a stranger ter come erlong and oust me, and don’t ye ferget that.” And the Icok upon his face certainly went to indicate that he meant it. CHAPTER VI. SHOWS HOW THE OLD THING WORKED. THERE was an awkward pause for a moment. It was plain that the foreman was not the man for the emergency. He had not the muscle, neither the *‘ sand,” to manage the matter in the way it required, **Do you mead to say that you won’t ’bey or- ders?’ be demanded. ‘‘That’s what I means this byar time,” was the firm and defiant retort. “Then I'll bave ter report ye ter Gilberts.” ‘¢ Yer kin report an’ be darn,” ‘* But you know what that will mean; you'll be bounced as sure as you live,” ‘* An’ if I am I'll take et out o’ your hide, s0 now ye kin do jest what yer please about **Kin I chip in a word, pards?” spoke Dick, at that point. ‘*Yer kin chip in as many as yer likes,” was the snarl he got from Mr. Jeems. ‘““'Waal, yer see et ar’ like this: I hev kem hyar about strapped, wi’a pard on my hands what can’t do hard work, an’ I hit yer boss fer, a job. I bad ter tell him my bands wasn’t very hard, an’ he said he’d give me a light post fer a day or two till I got ’em in shape.” ‘* Ther doose he did!” “Yas; an’ ef you'll let me in wi’out a kick yer will doa favor all around, an’ belp a feller critter ter turn an honest dollar an’ git a start. Yer will find me white clear through an’ through, an’ not a bad sort o’ feller ter tie to. What do yer say?” “ Yer has heard my say already.” ‘Then yer won’t do et?” “In course I won’t! What do yer take me “Pye got ter go ter work, fer et ar’ my last chance, yer see, an’ that’s why ther name 0’ this hyar camp had sech a cbarm fer me,” “Waal, I don’t keer how soon yer goes ter work; jump right in thar with ther rest of ther men, an’ hump yerself ter git thar fer all op batching Nobody is goin’ ter kick erbout that. ‘*But my hands will play »ut before noon, fer ye see I haven’t done no real hard work sence I was sick, an’ then I’ll be as bad off as I am now. Yours look as if they was blister- proof an’ lined wi’ leather, Come, be easy on a poor feller,” *Nixey. I ain’t no darn charity concern. Go ter work thar or git out, that’s all,” Dick turned and looked at the foreman ina questioning way. That individual was in something of a dilemma, He must obey the manager, but he feared the bul) whacker, “Thar ain’t but one thing fer me ter do,” he spoke, ‘An’ yer kin do that jest ez soon as yer likes, on ther condition I named,” Hard-hitter Jeems defied, “That's what Vll have ter do, an’? you know what ther result will be, I’m hyar ter carry out ther boss’s orders, but you isa bigger man Iam. I can’t fire ye out alone, but ther bull gang of us kin.” ‘“*Et won’t be healthy fer ther one what tries et on,” was the snarl, Allthe other men were neglecting their work while they looked on and gave attention to what was being said. ‘We'll bave ter see about that,” said Mr, Budge, as be moved off, ‘Go to work, men, and Vil be back in about two minutes,” He started off, the men resumed their work, except Hard-hitter, and Dick leaned back against the wall to await the foreman’s return. Barely had Mr, Budge got out of hearing, however, when Hard-hitter Jeems advanced to where Dick stood, and shaking his fist at him, bellowed out: “Do yer know I’ve anotion ter bu’st yer nose fer ye, ye white-livered sneak! Wull, I‘have, Ee * a Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. an’ fer jest two cents an a button I'd do et, too. Yer has no biz ter come hyar, anyhow.”, ‘‘T was under ther impression that this hyar is a free country,” was the very cool and easy response, Dick had his arms folded, and was leaning witb his back against the rocky wall of the tun- nel. He did not seem to be at all alarmed. “Oh, yer did, did yer?’ sneered the bull- whacker, ‘¢ Yas; that’s what I thought about et.” ‘*Wull, yer made a big mistake. Et ar’ free fer ther galoot what’s got lots of ther dudads, an’ fer him what’s got ther muscle ter stand up fer his rights; all ther rest is slaves.” ‘*Thar’s more truth ’n poetry in what yer says, I have ter admit,” Dick made response to that. ‘An’ I am one of ther fellers what travels on his muszle,” the Hard-hitter declared, proudly. ‘*1’m glad ter hear et, I’m sure,” was the easy taunt. ‘*Don’t yer believe et? Jest ask any of ther boyees hyar ef et ain’t so.” ** On, Pm willing to take yer word fer et.” “But, that don’t settle my grudge wi’ you,” swinging one of his ponderous fists close to Dick’s face. ‘I’ve a notion ter hit) ye one, jest fer luck, ye red-whiskered bunch o’ nothin’!” ‘* Please don’t stick yer fist so close ter my nose,” Dick requested. ‘* An’ why not, I’d like ter know? Reckon [ll stick et whar I please, an’ not ask you.” ** An’ I tells yer ter keep et away,” Dick com- manded. ‘ Et don’t smell good.” This made the other men laugh, and made Hard-hitter Jeems boil with rage in a second, ‘Smells bad, do et? be cried. “Tl let yer see how et feels then, an’ I guess ye’ll say et feels bad, too!” And with that he swung bis arm around and aimed a blow at Dick’s nose. But, something happened ; the blow miscarried. One of Dick’s arms described a half circle like a flash of light, and the bullwhacker howled. Dick’s iron-like knuckles had caught bim on the forearm with a force that made him feel sick for the moment with pain, and his arm fell al- most helpless at bis side, It was a surprise for all a | ** Waal, how do et feel?” Dick quietly asked. The man hardly knew what had happened to him at all, ‘ll show ye how et feels!” he bellowed, “ Ul show yer!” ‘‘ That was what you tried terdo. It felt a little soft, that was all.” And then Mr, Jeems bellowed in earnest, and all the rest of the men laughed heartily. Said one man: ‘Yer had better look out now, Mister Stran- ger, fer Jeoms ar’ a bad man when his dander is riz, an’ et ar’ rigbt up on eend now.” “Oh, be wouldn’t barm anybody,” Dick quietly assumed, ‘‘ He wouldn’t, hey!” bellowed the bullwhack- er. ‘lll show ye, blame yerrusty conk! Dll mash ye to a jelly this hyartime. I wasn’t goin’ = nee ye hard, but now Ill jest lam ye fer ee ** You had better not,” lazily. ‘‘ Better scratch your ear!” ‘* Dll show yer, an’ hyar goes— Woughff !” He had sent outa quick, sharp blow, as he spoke, and Dick’s head moving a few inches away his fist had struck the wall with a spat. “Ooh!” he screamed, ‘* Woughh! Curse you! Blazes! Outech!” And with the injured fist tucked under his arm on the other side, he danced around there at a lively rate, The men were now laughing at his misfor- tunes, for which he deserved no sympathy. “What is the matter?” inquired Dick. ‘“‘Matter! Blast yer bones, I’m goin’ ter show ye mighty soon what’s ther watter!” ‘*Haven’t you done about all ther showing that is good fer ye? Seems ter me yer has got ther wu’st of et so far.” ‘** But I'll mean biz this hyar time, yer kin jest bet! Dang ye! what did yer move yer head fer? Didn’t yer know I'd hit ther rock? Saay!” ‘*T knowed purty well that yer would hit my nose ef I didn’t move,” was the cool and easy answer, By this time it had begun to dawn upon the rest of the men that the new-comer was a better man than they had sized him up to be at first blush. “Et war purty neat done, anyhow,” ventured one, “* An’ yer can’t blame him fer dodgin’,” put in another, ** He won’t dodge no more,” bellowed Jeems, ‘*1m goin’ ter take all ther fun out o’ him, jest: as soon as I kin use me hand. I'll show him whose place he ar’ goin’ ter come hyar an’ take.” “Ef yer will take a fool’s advice, yer will go jest a leetle slow,” warned Dick, ‘‘ Thar may be snags around what yer will run up ergginst, ef yer keepson. Yer had hetter coo! off an’ be satisfied wi’ what ye've got.” “Tm goin’ ter saterfy you! Talk erbout snags—right hyar’s ther wu’st old snag you ever heerd tell on, an’ don’t ye forgit et.” ‘*1 didn’t come hyar ter fight; I kem byar ter work, me friend.” “Waal, yer will have ter do ther one, now, but yer won’t do ther other, I’m tellin’ ye.” ** We'll see,” “You bet yer will! Yer won’t be in no con- dition ter work for a month, after I git done wi ye!” ‘*How terrible that will be. up!” sarcastically. os Darn ye, is ye standin’ thar makin’ fun o” me?’ Dick still had his arms folded, and was lean- ing idly against the wall the same as at first. ** Bless ye, no,” he responded. ‘I wouldn’t think o’ doin’ sech a thing as that, an’ I hope yer won’t think I would.” ‘* But that’s jest what ye be doin’, blast ye! [ll take et out of ye! Look out fer yerself this time, fer I’m b’ilin’ cl’ar over now.” ** 1m lookin’.” With his arms still folded, the man’s defiance looked like foolhardiness, ‘Thar won’t be no need o’ my leavin’ my place ter make room fer ye when I git done wi” ye,” the bullwhacker cried, ‘* Yer won’t be fit fer duty, I’m tellin’ ye. Now git ready!” He jumped forward, with arms up, but did not strike out for fear of another taste of the hard wall. He danced and sparred and jumped around, trying to invite Dick away from the wall, but it was of no use, Dick’s arms were still folded, and he Jooked utterly careless about the matter. ‘Come on!” cried Hard-bitter. ‘‘ Come right on, ef yer wants ter fight! Step right up an* take yer medicine, fer ye has got ter take et anyhow, even ef I have ter force et down yer neck, Step right up byar, I say, or li lam ye right whar ye stand,” But Dick did not accept, and finally the fellow struck out at him. Dick’s arms unfolded as by a spring; one of them swung around like a flash; the bullwhack- er’s blow was brushed aside with a force that turned the fellow clear around, and one of Dick’s feet shot out, lifting him with a kick and send- ing him sprawling half way across the drift they were in, Ob please let —— CHAPTER VII. HE RECKONED WITHOUT HIS HOST. Just at that moment Jackson Budge came in. And at his heels came the manager of the mine, Mr, Gilberts, ** Hello!” the Jatter exclaimed, ‘“‘ what is the meaning of this? What’s the matter?” Hard-bitter Jeems was bellowing like a bull, as, op all-fours, he was trying to scramble up from a heap of loose ore, ‘“‘Thar’s goin’ ter be a funeral, that’s what’s ther matter!” he roared. ‘I’m goin’ ter see ther liver o’ that red-headed galoot afore he knows et!” The men around were all laughing, and with a glance at Dick, the manager took in the situ- ation and knew about what had been taking place. The bullwhacker giant had evidently found his master, As for Jackson Budge, he could only look on in open-mouthed amazement. What he saw was something that he could hardly believe. Could it really be that the terror of the camp was there on his hands and knees pawing around on the ore-heap? ‘You don’t seem to bave made much of a success of your efforts in that direction, so far,” remarked Mr. Gilberts, ‘‘ Why didn’t you obey my order when I sent it by your foreman? am done with you, sir.” ‘‘ Don’t yer talk to me now,” cried the angered Jeems, rising to his feet, ‘‘ I’m goin’ ter finish this byar cuss afore I does anything else, [ll show him he can’t come hyar an’ throw me out o’ mv place by ther neck an heels,” “You touch him at your peril!” warned the manager, A revolver gleamed in his grasp. Hard-bitter saw this, and drew back a little. ‘¢ 71] have you know that I am manager of this concern,” Mr. Gilberts said in stern tone, ‘and. my orders have got to be obeyed.” , :
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“ But yer ain’t givin’ me no fair deal,” Mr. Jeems complained, “You have no call to quarrel with the treatment you have received, sir, You have been trying to rule things here for some time, and now I am done with you. Get right out of here,” “No, Pll be ripped ef I do!” was the defiant retort. ‘‘I’m goin’ ter polish off this sneakin’ galoot afore I mosey out, an’ that settles et. [lJ show yer that if yer is boss of ther mine yer don’t own me, an’—” ** Stop! If you advance another step that way Til drop you!” There was a ring about the manager’s voice that showed that he meant just what he said. The fellow stopped, and slunk toward the opening. *Wull, yer has got ther drop on me now,” he grated, ‘“‘but that don’t settle ther case, Pu "tend ter him later on, an’ mebby ter you, too. And with that, and a shake of his fist at Dick, he shambled out of the place and went off. “Tm afraid that man will make trouble for you, Tablet,” spoke the manager, then, to Dick. **He bas the reputation of a bad man, and you will have to look out for bim.” “*T reckon I kin take keer of meself against him,” was the response. ** Anyhow, look out for him, He has made trouble enough for me, and I’m not a bit sorry he’s gone, though I look for more trouble now than ever, But, he had better not go too far or he may get a pill.” “What he will git, sometime,” prophesied Jackson Budge. “** And you, Jackson, and the rest of you, just take sides with Tablet here, and give him pro- tection if he needs it,” ** We'll do that,” was the ready promise, And said ore man: “*T don’t reckon he will want a deal o’ help, ther way he handles himself in a scrimmage,” ‘* Well, it is to be hoped so, anyhow. Now, Tablet, you go to work there as Mr. Budge will direct you, and be under his directions.” And for the time being that settled the matter, : Mr. Gilberts went away, and the men fell to their work as usual, The forenoon soon passed, and at noon the men knocked off for the usual hour of rest, Dick had done his wo1k well, and in a way that proved he was no stranger to the ways and ~ manners of mining life, Leaving the mine with the rest of the men, he went down into the camp and made his way in all haste to the shanty where he had left his nd Sse is mind had not been easy since his trouble with the bullwhacker, and he wassomewhat anx- ious to know how things had been going since his absence, He knew he bad made a bad enemy, The sight of his‘ pard” at the door as he ea te aaa however, assured him on one poiut. _When he came to the shanty he found that bis dinner was awaiting him, and closed the door after hin, “Well, little pard,” he greeted, catching his wife to him and giving her a kiss, ‘‘ this is some- thing entirely new and novel, isn’t it?” “Yes, Dick, it certainly is,” she responded, after the embrace. ‘‘ How do you like being a mine laborer?” “Can%t say that I'd fancy it for a steady thing,” Dick laughingly responded. ‘ How would you like to be a mine-laborer’s wife, little one?” . She laughed merrily. “ Any life would be happiness enough, with you,” she answered, These remarks had been exchanged in tones too low for any chance listener to overhear, Dick washed his bands and face, in the true style befitting the character he had assumed, and when that was done the two sat down to their repast. aa is your revolver?” Dick presently in- quire . , ‘There on the shelf,” Kate answered, point- ing to it, . ‘A mighty poor place for it,” Dick chided. ‘““ Why, is there danger?” “A detective is always in danger, Kate, and ya are a detective just as much as 1 am myself, ou must keep your little joker where you can get abit ata moment’s notice.” + ““What are you driving at, Dick, anyhow? Something has happened.” ‘Well, yes, something has happened, Kate: I have had trouble with about the worst character Dennen ee EE ee the camp can show I suppose, and it is possible that he may come here and try to make trouble for youif he hears about you.” ‘* Let him come, he will find meat home,” was the confident response, ** And you want to be ready to receive him, too, if he should come, Take your weapon now and put it in your pocket.” This she did, and Dick went on to tell her all about his trouble with the bullwhacker at the mine, and of the further trouble he looked r, ‘You will have to take care,” she cautioned, ‘Never fear but I will,” was the reply, ‘I am always getting into trouble, but always manage to get out again somehow.” And so they talked om while the meal pro- gressed, Dick was back at the mine again promptly on time, and had seen nothing of his enemy. Now this, by the way, was a stage day at Last Chance, and as it was an event that came only once a week, work at the mine stopped in the middle of the afternoon, Dick had not learned this during the fore- noon, and so could not tell Kate of it, and she could not expect him until the usual hour of closing at night; and it is of her we must speak now, Dick had not been gone from the shanty more than an hour, when a great bushy head was thrust in at the open door, Kate looked up with a start, and knew at a glance that this must be the man with whom Dick had had the trouble, ‘* Hillo!” he greeted, with a coarse grin, “‘ any- body ter kum?” ‘Yes, sir; [’m here,” the seeming young man responded, ‘* Hillo! so ye ar’; I kin see ye now, on a close look. I reckon this byar is ther cabin whar Adam Tablet roosts, hey?” ‘*'Phis is the place, sir.” “Good ernough. I hev brought a leetle pres- ent fer him.” Kate felt all confidence, with her. revolver handier than the shelf over the table where it had been. Deadwood Dick had taught her a trick or two about drawing it when it was required in haste, and she was an adept at that thing. ‘* A present?” she repeated. ‘Yas; will yer "low me ter bring et in?” ‘* According to what it is.” Mr, Jeems drew in his left band, which had been out of sight till now, and in its grasp was a coffin, It was standing on end in front of him with a single move, ho handling it as easily as though it had been a toy made of cork. The coffin was the same one that had been left there at the shanty on the previous evening, and he now brought it from the saloon where it had been since, ‘* This hyar is what et ar’,” he said, ‘A coffin!” gasped the youth, springing back. The villainous bullwhacker grinned, ‘* Kit ain’t nothin’ else, me lad,” he declared. “Kt ar’ a useful article at sartain times,” “ But, sir, Adam bas no need for anything of that kind, Takeit away! What do you mean by bringing such a thing here?” ‘“‘Haw! haw! haw! Now that is jest whar ye make yer mistook, me laddy, Adam.ar’ goin’ ter fill this hyar box afore he is a day older, an’ I thort ’'d make et bandy fer ye.” ‘** You had better have a care that somebody else don’t fill it,” re yer mean ter hint that et might be me “Tt is quite possible.” ‘Haw! haw! haw! The coffing ain’t built yet what’s ter corral ther mortal remains of Hard-hitter Jeems, me fine little buckey.” “But, what is going to happen to Adam?” ate asked, playing well her part. ‘** ?m what's goin’ ter bappen ter him,” was the answer. ‘‘He has made me his mortal foe, an’ I’m ther disease what's goin’ ter call him over, Mebby he’ll be fetched home all ready fer plant- in’, **'You don’t mean to kill him?” “Oh, no; not fer ther world. haw!” ‘“*T can’t allow you to bring that thing in here, sir, indeed I can’t.” ““Can’t help et whether yer kin or not,” was the rough retort, ‘I’m goin’ ter tote et in jest ther same.” , And with his words he lifted it and stepped into the cabin with it, putting it down upon the floor on the rear side of the room. When he looked up, the slender youth was not where he had been, but now the door was closed, Haw! haw! Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Deathblow. 7 and with his back against it the youth was there, covering him with a revolver. ‘Get into that coffin and lie down,” was the stern, grim order, ‘‘or I} put a leak in you that will make you sick, you bet!” The jaw of the giant dropped, and he could only stare, CHAPTER VIII. HARD-HITTER IN A TIGHT BOX. ‘*Dipn’r you hear what I said?’ the youth de- manded, after a moment of silence, ‘* But yer don’t mean et,” the astonished bull- whacker gasped. ‘*Come, put away that ‘ar thing afore ye do some damage.” ‘*T intend to do damage to you, and that pretty quick, if you don’t do as I tell you,” was the bold rejoinder. “Into that coffiin, I tell ou!” “Thunder! Sonny, I guess yer don’t know who yer is talkin’ to, does yer? I’m ther terror of ther town,l am. Waugh! Put away that plaything, or (ll baye ter spank ye.” He talked his loudest and looked his fiercest, as though trying to gain the advantage by frightening the youth, but if that was his object he did not gain it, The hand that held the threatening weapon was steady, ‘*} don’t care who or what you are,” was the sharp retort. ‘You have come here witha threat against my brother, and I mean to take care of youtill he comes back. I am not to be fooled witb, I can tell you. Do you mean to do as I tell you to do? If not—” Her flashing eyes looked along that glittering tube in a threatening way, “Hang et, young feller,” the bullwhacker parleyed, ‘‘ I was only jokin’ with yer, that’sall; haw! haw! haw!” “Well, I'm not joking with you,” was the firm response, ‘and ll give you just one min- ute to get yourself into that coffin, If you are not in it when the time is up V’ll drop you into it with a bullet.” ‘** But I tell yer it was all in fun!” the alarmed rascal cried. ‘ was ooly playin’ off a little joke. I have met yer brother, an’ him an’ me is ther best o’ good friends on short ’quaint- ance,” “Then no doubt he'll be glad to find you here when he returns; and find you here he will, either dead or alive, and it’s your choice which it shall be. Don’t you waste any more time now, if you value your life, Into that coffin with you!” ‘Darn et, young feller, can’t yer listen ter reason? Can’t—” ‘‘Tnto that ecflin, I tell you! Your time is getting short, and I mean shoot as sure as you live. “Bt won't hold me. Et ar’ too small, I couldn't never get inter that thing, an’ I know “Well, then, get as near as you can. Come, Pil count twenty, and then if you are notin, down you go, so in with you!” There was no mistaking that command. Cursing roundly, the cowed rascal sat down in the coffin and then leaned over backward and tried to force himself into it. It was a pretty close fit. The length was all right, but it was too narrow for his broad shoul- ders at the first effort, and would be a tight squeeze, “T can’t do it,” be cried, “Let me cff this time, on’ Ill take et all back. I didn’t mean no harm,” ‘** Get in there, or you'll be the corpus it will hold for burial!” : ‘ The revolver was now right near the ruffian’s ead, There was no way out of it, so far as he could see, and the thing had to be done, He made another effort, and managed to get his shoulder down, and there he lay, panting over his exertion, Scarcely able to move, so close was he held, the terror of the camp was in about as tight a place as he had ever been in his life. ‘Now, there you are,” remarked the slender youth, ‘‘and you wasn’t any too soon about it, I expected nothing else than that 1 should nares to muss up the floor with your whisky blood, “Did yer really mean shoot?” the craven asked, — “You bet your boots I did,” was the response, * And I mean it yet, too, if you make any fuss.. You have got to lie right there till my brother comes bome,” “Hickory! I'll be dead by that time, sure as ye live, sonny!” “Then that will save Adam the trouble of . killing you, as maybe he will do,”
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8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. ‘* See here, I beg off. Let me git up an’ out 0’ here, an’ ye won't never see hide ner hair o’ me again.” “Nary. Put yer arms right down straight there, now, and don’t dare to move them, That’s it; and now you may go to sleep if you want to.” The fellow having laid his arms as ordered, the youth put his foot on them one after the other and shoved them well in beside him, end oi took a seat near the door, weapon in and. And there Deadwood Dick found his “‘ pard” when he came home from work a little past mid- afternoon, “Hello!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ what have we here?” ‘“* Here’s a gentleman that called to see you,” said Kate, ‘and I invited him to stay till you came,” ‘Great snakes, Willie, I should say yer did!” Dick cried, ‘‘ Why, hillo! my untamable bunki- dori; what ar’ ye doin’ hyar?” “ Let me git out o’ hyar,” was the pleading re- sponse. ‘‘ I’m mostdead, ‘That ’ar leetle cuss wouldn't let me move, an’ byar I’ve been fer two hours an’ a haff.” “That’s rather rough ou ye, I must own, but what business had ye ter come poken yer nose ’round hyar? What did he come hyar fer, Willie? hat was he goin’ ter do wi’ ther coffin, son?” ‘* Why. he said et was for you, Adam. He said he was going to kill you and put you into it. Said he bad brought it asa present, I couldn’t have anything of that kind, you know, so I just told him to get into it himself. And, there he is. Dick smiled under his flaming whiskers, at the situation, with Kate on guard, , That was quite right, illie, pard, quite right,” be complimented, ‘“‘That war ther proper thing ter do,” * Rut, let me out, won’t yer?” the fellow beg- ged. ‘I’m ’most dead, an’ that’s honest, Let me out, won't yer? We'll call et square,” * All right, git out with yer, an’ be off.” The fellow made the effort to get out, but could not move, He was really in a tighter fix than he would have believed. ‘‘- Yer does seem ter be in thar purty tight, an’ that’s ther fact,” Dick observed, ‘‘ Guess Vl have ter help ye some. Guess I kiu fetch ye out o’ that.” He reached down and laid hold upon the neck of his shirt, and with a strong pull brought him out and landed bim on bis feet. ‘There you are,” he said, ‘‘an’ now yer wants ter slope. Willie, ef he ever comes ’round byar again, yer wants ter bore him wi’out any parley about et. Let him have et,” ** And I will, too,” the little ‘ pard” declared. The burly fellow had nothing to say till he backed to the door and out, when he cried; ‘11 have et in fer ye now, see ’f I don’t!” ‘* Took out!” cried Dick. ‘* You ain’t out 0’ pistol range yet, me hearty.” “Ym off now, but you jest look out fer me, that’s all. I’m goin’ ter git even with yer.” * All right, let me know when yer begins, an’ I'll try an’ be on hand, Guess yer wi!l find that I kin hold up my eend.” But it wasn’t all over with yet. Soon there arose a great shout only a little way off, Quite a crowd of men had been gathered at a little distance from the shanty, in company with Tecumseh, And. now as they raised their shout, Tecumseh began to sing at tbe top of his weak ard quaver- ing voice his only song— ‘A frog!—he would!—a woo! - ing go! Whether!—his mother!—would let ’m!—or no! Sing ee ! i diddley 1|—diddley !—doo!—de-doo! Jie 00 ” Then the crowd shouted again, and began to hoot in a way that let Mr. Jeems know that he was the object at which they were aiming their sportive remarks, P It was easily understood. These, or some of them, had been atthe saloon when Hard-hitter had come in and borrowed the coffin, . He had made his boasts what he was going to do with it, blowing as usual, and when he bad gone out Tecumseh and some others had followed him. They bad seen him enter the shanty, and run- ning up, had been there to overhear what had assed within, and now were lying in wait, or ad been, for his appearance. “ Ruther a Jong call yer made!” cried one. **Must ’a’ found ruther a warm welcome, didn't yer?” “How did yer enjoy yer nap in ther leetle pine box, old man?” These, and a good many other shouts greeted |. him, and there was no mistaking the fact that they knew all about it. “Et was a put-up job on me, that’s what et was!” the bullwhacker cried, And at that the crowd laughed and hooted the more, How it could have been anything of that sort, he did not undertake to explain to them. »* But et ain’t done with yet, et ain’t!” he cried. ‘*Thar’s more to et, an’ you fellers is goin’ ter see some fun ef yer lives long enough.” With tbat he hurried on, eagar to get out of sant and out of hearing too if that was possi- e. ; Dick learned all about it from Kate, as soon as the crowd had moved off and they entered the shanty. ‘“*You are a trump, Kate,” Dick compliment- ed. ‘‘Youare a good one. That's the way to do it, every time.” **But I was frightened almost to death at first,” Kate declared. “No matter, as long as you downed your man, Make them believe that you mean it, as I have told you, and you have got them, every — That’s the kind of stuff they are made of. He then explained why he was home so early, and washed up and prepared to go out and await the coming of the stage. They locked the shanty and went together down to the hotel, where the crowd was col- lecting to see the stage come in, and where they mingled with the others. Only a little time had they been there, when out from the Never-Get-Left came Hard-hitter Jeems, with a bellow and a roar. He had recovered from his stiffness, and had been adding to bis strength a good deal of spirit in the way of the liquid article so-called. He had caught sight of his euemy, or he bad been pointed out to him, and now he meant to ae the account at once and in the presence of all this company of witnesses, ‘“*Hyar I come!” he roared. ‘‘ Look out fer me now!” he screamed. ‘‘ Now I’m in fer gore, an’ don’t ye fergit it! Whar’s that ’ar galoot what nosed me out at ther Peck o’ Dirt? Jest let me git at him!” He evidently had his eye on him, for he made straight in Dick’s direction, Mr. Tablet, it was noticed, did not run away, a stood and awaited the coming of his terrible oe. This was about the sort of thing that wild crowd enjoyed, and as soon as Hard-bitter had entered the arena a ring was formed around the pair and they were left face to face. CHAPTER IX, SETTLING THE SCORE. DEADWOOD Dick knew what had to be done now. It was really no fault of his that the trouble had come, Hard-bitter was one of those fellows always on the lookout for fight. He had made the trouble in this case, and meant to pushit and make more of it, too, Dick, in bis disguise, did not look like a man who could defend himself in the fistic way to 9 extent, et those who had seen something of him at the mine had good reason to believe that he could take care of himself at a pinch. His slender “ pard” bad stepped back out of the way, and with folded arms, Mr, Adam Tab- let stood looking at the furious and half-drunken man before him. Mr. Hard-hitter had been coming with a rush and a roar, but at the cool front presented to him he rather cooled down before he got quite there, He put on the breaks a little, as it were, But he continued his bellowing as loudly as ever. ‘“‘Hyar I be now!” he roared, ‘“ HyarI be, an’ if yer wants ter see me, step up to ther oftis! Waugh! ‘* Waal, what ef yeris hyar?” demanded Dick, in the broad dialect befitting his assumed char- acter.. ‘* Who sent fer ye, anyhow?” ‘* Who sent fer me, hey? [I kem without bein’ sent fer, me red-headed galoot. I’m hyar on me own invertation, an’ I’m hyar on business, too! Don’t yer want ter see me?” ‘*No; not in p’tic’lar.” ‘* Waal, I’m hyar ter see you.” ‘* T thort yer was goin’ ter eat me, ther way + ye was comin’,” 7 " This brought a laugh, Dick was as cool as an iceberg. “That was what yer thort, was et?” was the bellow, ** Yas; somethin’ like that,” ‘*Wull, what ar’ ter hinder my doin’ et now? That was jest what I was comin’ fer, 80 yer hit et right,” “ben why don’t yer begin?” ‘““That’s what’s ther matter,” cried the crowd. ‘Walk right in an’ swoller him, boots an’ all, Jeems,” “Pll tell yer what I’m hyar fer,” the bull- whacker yauped, waving his big fists about through the air. ‘‘I’m hyer ter mash yer nose fer ye, an’ I’m goin’ ter do et, too!” ‘“All right, old hoss, wade rigbtin. Yer will find me ter home, I guess.” And it looked as though he would, too, The crowd was growing impatient for the fun to begin, and men onevery hand were throwing taunts at the bullwhacker, “An? I'm comin’ now,” he bellowed. ‘I only wanted to give ye fair warnin’ so’s yer couldn’t say et wasn’t fair, Put up yer leetle dubbies, now, an’ try ter do yer pootiest.” Dick stil] kept his arms folded, ‘* Never mind me,” be said, ‘‘ but look after yer own part of ther business, Tll be ready when you begin, I guess,” ‘‘Then ef yer gits yer nose split ther fu’st crack don’t blame me,” ‘‘ Not er tall, sir; et will be my own fault ef I do.” And so the crowd seemed to think. . f There was no further excuse for delay, so Mr, Jeems began to spar away in great style, He danced this way and that, striking out and drawing back, darting forth his head and re- ceding again, all in a comical way. “Ho cuts a purty figger, don’t / he?” Dick called attention. This brought a howl] from the crowd, and Hard-hitter’s face grew more red than ever. ‘‘Cuts a porty figger, do he!” he screamed, “Tl cut a purty figger on your snoot now, an’ one that yer will carry, too!” With that he sprung forward and delivered the first blow. But somehow it didn’t seem to take effect, His arm was brushed aside, and he was turned half around. When he looked, there stood his foe with arms still folded. ‘*That’s a funny way ter hit a feller,” Dick sneered, And then again the crowd laughed and hoot- e * “Blast yer! Ill show yer now!” He made a grand rush this time, striking out with both fists with blows thick and fast, But he might as well have triod to hit a shadow. Not a blow could get home, Dick’s dainty fists flashed about like light- ning, and the giant’s own were knocked aside ae an ease that must have surprised him not a ittle, Finally, half out of breath, he sprung back, gasping: ‘ ‘* What fer a darn masheen is yer, anyhow?. Seems ter me that yer has ther knack o’ boxin’ down fine. But I'll show yer yet!” ** Look out he don’t show you!” cried one, ‘¢-Yer had better make up an’ call et square,” from anotber. “Hell put ye in ther coffing fer keeps ther next time,” shouted some one else, ‘*1'l] show him this byar time!” Before, the giant bullwhacker had not taken the trouble to remove his bat and coat, Now he dashed his hat to the ground, jerked off his coat spitefully, and rolled up the sleeves of his dingy red shirt. : The brawny arm he displayed was one to be proud of, ‘* Dyer see that ’ar?” he demanded, displaying his muscle, ; ““T see some flabby fat thar, ef that is what yer means,” answered his teasing opponent, It was anything but fat, as everybody knew. Hard-hitter could split with his fist a bigger and thicker board than any other man in the camp. sf Flabby fat!” he yelled. ‘*Tllshow ye how flabby et ar’, ef I git a whack at yer with et! Yer will never know what bit yer.” ‘* An’ et ar’ my business ter see that ye don't hit me,” was the response, ‘‘ But, come, don’t hang back so. Let’s have this thing over with, You wanted to get at me, so now finish yer job.” Hard-hitter now squared off in better style. — The little science he had at command he called into use.
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~ He drew near with care, his fists well up, and presently his right flew out straight from the shoulder. It was aimed all right, too, straight for Dick’s face, but Dick moved his head just a little to the right and the blow passed over his sboulter. The next instant there was a spiteful little ‘*spat!” and Mr, Jeems was taken off bis feet and laid out on his back ina way that fairly made him see stars, and that brought a grunt out of bim as he dropped. And there stood the red-whiskered Mr. Tablet, as cool as ever. No one could tell just how it had been done, but the effect of it was patent to all. The crowd gave a rousing cheer, and by this time every soul in the camp was on the spot to witness this rare treat in the local arena, For some seconds the bullwacker Jay still. He was dazed by the suddenness of what bad happened to him, and perhaps noé a little stunned, ‘too. 00. ‘*] guess yer has fixed him, pardner,” said one man, ‘¢Oh, no, he'll be up worse than ever in a winute,” responded Dick, Every eye was upon him, and he was the mar- vel of the moment. It was plain that the town terror had no chance with him, His prediction was true. In a few moments Mr. Jeems rolled over and sat up. ‘*T reckon my foot must ’a’ slipped,” he fool- ishly observed. The roar that greeted that.remark was deafen- ing. m Wereckons both yer hoofs slipped, old man,” some one sung out, ‘* An? they is likely ter slip wuss next time, too.” Dick bad his eyes well upon the fellow, for he did not know what manner of attack to look for next, Once on his feet, Mr. Jeems squared himself again immediately, “Pll show yer somethin’ this hyar time,” be gave warning, ‘‘ Yer is too darn handy with yer hoxers, so we'll try et this way.” And even as he uttered the words he pro- ceeded to illustrate, Jumping right in, regardless of a stinging blow that landed over his eye, he caught Dick in bis arms, With a mighty swing he lifted him clear from the ground, raised him backward over bis head, and brought him forward to dash kim to the earth. He had the strength of a giant, and Dick seemed as nothing in his hands with the mo- mentary advantage he had, But the end was not yet. As be brought Dick forward and exerted his final efforc to burl him from bim, Dick caught hold of bis arms and there be clung, and came down upon his feet with all the agility of a cat, And then it was his turn. Before Mr, Jeems could recover he bad broken his hold and caught him in bis best fash- jon, Up went the bullwhacker, then, about the same as Dick bad been lifted, with the final dif- ference that Dick carried out what he bad in- tende. / Having bim raised, he turned him before he could grasp him, and then with a fling sent him sprawling in the dirt, much to the delight of the admiring audience, who were going wild. ‘Mr, Tiblet’s showing of strength was a sur- prise to them all. — 4 “PII bet that will settle him!” one man cried ut. “Ef heain’t a fool altogether,” added an- other. ‘* No, he ain’t done yet,” declared Dick, ‘ I'll bave ter do him up brown afore he will be done, as you'll see,” He knew the sort of man he had to deal with, And be was not mistaken, for when the fellow scrambled to bis feet he immediately reached for a weapon, , But that was just what Deadwood Dick had been expecting, and he had him covered with his own brace of revolvers before he could draw, : “Tm right at home at that, too,” Dick sung out. “Draw that pop an’ you ar’ a dead sin- ner. The fellow looked foolish, and withdrew his hand from his hip, empty. “ That is better,” sald Dick. ‘* An’ don’t yer try et ergain, nuther, fer I am some on ther draw meself, ‘You is bound ter have fight, an’ now Til give et to y all yer kin hanker fer. Now square yerself, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. He had put away bis weapons, and now step- ped forward with an air of business. CHAPTER X. NEW ARRIVALS IN THE CAMP. ‘ ay this sudden change, Mr, Jeems paled a ittle, He knew what to expect now, and he was not deceived, either, With a quick step backward, he made one more effort to draw his revolver, making the quickest move he knew how. But that was not half quick enough, for the glittering weapons of his foe were covering him again before he could draw, and the effort was futile. **] tell you yer can’t play et that way,” Dick warned again. “Try et on jest once more an’ I'll have ter drop ye. I’m meanin’ business now right from ther beginnin’,” With a surly snar! the bullwhacker let go bis bold and brought his hand around in sight, Dick’s weapons had disappeared again almost as soon, 1nd now he advanced with a menacing air that boded ill for Mr, Jeems, ‘“‘PDefend yerself ef yer can,” Dick directed, **-You meant ter do me up, an’I means ter re- turn ther compliment ef I am able. Make ready now, an’ we'll soon have et over with.” The bullwhacker put up bis fists because there was no escape for him, though he looked as though his every inclination was toward run- ning away. As soon as bis fists were up Dick went for him. He made a feint or two, and then let go straight from the shoulder, first left and then right. shel both fists found the target, too, The Jeft landed on the bullwhacker’s proboscis as a gentle reminder, and the right followed after it and finished the work, The first tap bad staggered the fellow, and taken him somewhat off his equilibrium, and the second lifted bim‘and sent him headlong into the crowd and clear out of the ring, ‘¢Thar,” cried Dick, “‘ that settles et, fer ther time bein’, If thar’s any more like him around, Jet me have ’em while I’m in ther bumor of ther thing.” **Y reckons nobody else ar’ a-hankerin’ fer any,” was the response from some one in the throng. “Then ye had better see ter that feller, fer be may need help ef he ain’t dead, Mebby I broke his neck; 1 won’t say I didn’t.” The fellow was found alive good enough, though, but he was uuconscious, He was taken up and carried back to the saloon, and before the excitement had abated the stage arrived, 4 : Had it been on time its passengers would bave witnessed the fray, but it was a little late, 1t rolled into the camp in the usual style, and drew up at the hotel, Last Chance was not its destination, so the stop was only a brief one, merely long enough to do necessary business, The mail and Express stuff were banded out, and while this was being done the passengers were alighting, The first to get out was a long and lanky in- dividual of the male persuasion, who looked not unlike a shabby preacher, He wasclad in black, in a coat with long tails, he had on a rusty high bat, and a yellow hard- finish collar encircled his skinny neck. His hair was long behind, but rather sparse; he had on spectacles; and on his hands were what had once been black kid gloves, but which were now principally holes. He immediately stalked off toward the hotel with long strides, After him came a woman in dark serviceable attire, helping out a girl of ten, when she had alighted. Tbe woman was rather peculiar-looking. Sbe bad the appearance of a priggish old maid, with her little curis before her ears and blue goggles over her eyes, : Following ber came aman of rather portly presence, and he helped out a dashing young woman whose good-looks were stamped with an unpleasing boldness. All followed the lead of the first described, and entered the hotel. A little later the stage rolled on its way, with ashout from thre driver and a yell from the crowd, Deadwood Dick and his little “ pard,” baving no interest with the mail, did not follow most of the crowd to the post-office, but entered the hotel. There the first arrival, the long man in black, was pleading with the proprietor for lodging. 9 ‘* Sorry, sir,” was the answer he got, ‘* but we is fullc?ar tother top, an’ no room fer any more,” ‘* What shall I do” the man gasped, in evident distress. ‘I ama poet, sir,a poet; Lam nota child of the rough world, but a tender offspring of the muses!” ““That’s a bad fix ter bein, I allow,” sympa- thized the landlord, ‘‘ but I hey give ye ther cold fax in ther case, an’ I can’t dono more, I opine ye will have ter camp out,” “But, here are ladies!” the poet cried. ‘“* What will you do with them? Surely you will not have them cast out, will you?” , ‘¢ When ther box ar’ full, what ar’ ye goin’ ter do about et?’ argued the landlord. The ladies were now present to speak for themselves, As the bar-room to your shanty hotel is usual- ly the main entrance, people have to go in that way or stay out, If the hotel is a degree vetter in appearance, there is a ball and ‘‘ parlor” for the convenience of women, The Palace Royal was only a shanty at best, So, into the bar-room the women had come, and were listening to the exchange of remarks quoted, ‘““Oh, dear,” sighed the pretty but bold beauty, ‘* what shall we do now?” **Do you mean to tell us there is no accom- modation to be had here, sir?” the portly man of middle age demanded, ** That’s the sizs of et,” was the answer, ‘And isn’t there any other hotel in the camp?” ‘“Nary a nuther.” ‘* This is a deuce of a hole, then!” “t's ther last chance in fact as well as in name,” the landlord offered, his own, little joke ‘€ So it seems to be,” ‘Then isn’t there any lodging to be had in the place at all, sir?” asked the woman in the curls and goggles. ‘Every hole is fuller'n a tick, ma’m.” “Oh, dear! And when does the next stage pass here, sir?” j ‘This same time next week.” ** Worse and worse.” ‘* Well, we are bere and something will have to be done,” determined the portly man, ‘Is there anything to build a shanty of?” “Pll tell yer what mebby kin be done,” the landlord started to suggest, ‘Well, what is it?” “How be ye fixed?” ‘What do you mean by that?” “* How is your pocket lined?” “Ob! Why, I’m well fixed, that way.” “Then I think ef yer bid big enough some of ther boyees will move out an’ let ye bave their roosts. I say mebby they will, but I don’t know. They is more hardy ter camp out ’n what wimmen is,” ‘*Hal there is some hops in that. Who has got a shanty to rent, gentlemen? I will pay well. My name is Alban Sturgiss, I’m no beg- gar, and what Task for I can pay for, This is my daughter, and I must bave shelter for her, you see. Now, who is the first?” Two or three immediately offered, and Mr, Sturgiss went out with them at once to inspect their palaces, ‘*That speaks the advantage of ready money,” sighed the poet, ‘I have an overplus of brain, but money is something that I have always had ® scant amount of at command, Thus does genius suffer ever,” * And I am in a worse fix, with my little girl on my bands,” grieved the lady in the curls and goggles. ‘*WhatI am going to do, I do not gee. Hasn’t some married man roomin his house for us for a day or two?” “Ther fact ar’, ma’m,” responded the land- lord, ‘‘ thar ain’t no married men hyar, Them as is married, sin’t married, so ter speak, an’ them what ain't, can’t pt nobody ter marry.” “7 don’t see what I am to do, for my means are limited.” Deadwood Dick stepped to the front. ‘*Ma'’m,” he said, “*I has got a cabin hyar that I kin share wi’ ye fera week. Me an’my leetle pard hyar kin sleep in ther lean-to, an’ et ar’ better’n no shelter a tall,” ‘** Are—are you an honest man, sir?” ‘Ef I aint, ma’m, my leetle pard thar is, an’ l’d die fer that leetle iatcnet day in ther week,” ‘“Yer kin trust Adam Tablet, ma’m, that I’m bettin’,” declared one man in the crowd. “* Anyhow, it seems I shall bave to do so,” sighed the woman, ‘I will accept your offer, sir. I like the face of this little friend of yours, andif you can be good to him I know you are not a bad man.”
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10 * Adam is the best of brothers,” the little **pard” praised up. ** Come right erlong then, ma’m,” Dick invi- ted, ‘‘ an’ we'll make ye comfortable if we kin.” ** But who is going to take me in?” wailed the the lanky poet. “‘l am as good as the rest of them, but no one has compassion on me,” ‘Ef yer is a poic, the fool-killer will gather ein when he comes ’round,” one rough fellow irreverently jested, This raised a laugh, and while the room was still ringing Dick and Kate conducted their pro- tegees out. ** Sir, what do you mean?” So cried the poet, indignantly, when he could be heard. There was no response, since the man who had spoken evidently did not want to be sin- gled out. ‘* What mean you, I demand?’ was the re- peated query. ‘‘ Know ye not that [ am one whom the gods bave favored? Look on my brow, and tell me if Iam not a poet!” ‘* That’s what yer is, sure,” assured Tecumseh, the bummer. “My friend,” cried the lanky individual, extending his hand, ‘‘ you are of the gifted few. Shake!” Tecumseh took the hand and shook, ‘Tam a poet,” the lanky one declared, ‘I am not made, either, but was born a poet. My wame is Fergurson Finn, a name that is destined to ring down the aisles of the unborn ages. ** T hope et will,” assured Tecumseh, ‘‘ I hope et willfer a fack, But, et ar’ wonderfully dry, don’t yer think so, Finny?” He edged toward the bar as he said this, and the poet took the bint, * : The uext moment they were cementing their friendship with a glass of the terrible. CHAPTER XI, BEHIND THE SCENES. Wuen Dick and the others’ reached the cabin, or shanty, they entered and the front door was closed. 5 “Are we safe from observation here?” the woman asked, ‘*' Yes,” answered Kate. “You may speak out here, but in guarded tone, for some one «might listen.” , ‘it is better to use all caution,” agreed Dick. “‘Tt was fortunate we came on ahead of you, Mrs, Makewell, since the camp isso full,” aa for it might have been awkward for us all, ‘*T was fortunate in getting bold of this cabin or it might have been that way éven yet,” The woman had now removed her goggles, and also her bat and a wig from her head, She appeared a pleasant-faced lady of thirty- ve. The little girl stood near her, and now she stroked her hair. ** Well, I have news for you, Mr, Bristol,” she said in cautious tone. ** You have?” “ec as,” ** And what is it?” **1 have seen my hated husband.” Rie Ha! sosoon? Then your eyes are sharp for m. ‘* He came in the stage with us, sir.” “ No y’ ; **’Yes; that man who got out with that brazen- faced thing.” - And he didn’t recognize you?” ** Nor the child?” ** No; how could he? It is five years since he saw us.” “True, Well, we have him now where we can Jay our hands on him when we want him, that is sure.” “ And we want him as soon as possible. He must sign that paper, sir, with witnesses, and after that I care not what becomes of him,” ‘We will attend to that; but first I have this other matter tosee to, I dare not reveal my identity here till that is off my hands, you see. But, that may not take long.” ‘* And in the mean time the wretch may get away.” “* Tl see to it that he does not escape us.” ** Well, I suppose I must trust it all to you.” “Yes; do that and I promise you I will bring it out all rigbt for you. Now, you must make yourself comfortable here with my little ‘ pard,’ and I will take the lean-to for myself when it is time to sleep.” ** And where are you going now, Dick?” asked Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. ‘* Back to the hotel, till supper-time, and after | into, and bebold, the night cometh on apace. that I shall have to be led by circumstances,” **T havo finished the pictures we snapped last night,” “*Good enough! I may have use for them pretty soon. Let me have them,” Kate put a flat packot into his hand, and he opened it and examined the pictures if con- tained. ‘* Ha! this is the one!” he presently exclaimod. rhe entrance to that cavern, as it looks to 4 bef Yes.” “So 1 thought you would say, the place is there, whatever it is.” “Undoubtedly. Well, I will be back again, Be on your guard,” “It isn’t likely that Mr. Jeems will trouble me again, the way you punished him,” Kate laughed, ‘* No, [think not. I looked for trouble from him, and 1 thought I would give him a big dose while I was about it.” There was some further talk among them, and Dick went out and to the hotel. In the mean time Mr. Sturgiss had secured the use of a cabin, and had taken posses- sion of it with the yonng woman he called his daughter, This was between Dick’s shanty and the hotel, and as Dick passed he saw them within, looking over the temporary domicile that had fallen to their lot. ** It will do, Zenaide,” Dick heard him say. ‘¢ You bet,” was the response. ‘‘ Room enough for two.” ‘*-Yes; and for callers, too,” was the rejoincer ; and Dick caught no more. When be reached the hotel, Fergurson Finn was on the floor spouting poetry, and Tecumseh was applauding with all bis might, ** An’ now mebby Peerscumshe will favor us wi’ a song,” one man in the crowd suggested, when the last round of applause had sounded, ** fal do you sing, noble friend?” the poet cried. “Do he sing!” cried another, warbler, you bet!” “JT sing a leetle,” Tecumseh blushingly ad- mitted. ‘‘ Then give us a song, by all means,” **Oh, I couldn’t, I don’t know only one.” “One is enough, Let us hear it.” *¢ An’ I only knows one verse o’ that.” ‘* Better than none; go right ahead.” And the crowd joined in the urging, but Tecumseh seemed to hang fire about it. “Et ar’ atreat from me, ef yer will sing,” offered the landlord. “That'll fix et,” agreed the singer, ‘Tl strike in on condition that ye will stop me when ye bave had enough,” ‘* We'll do that,” one man hastened to promise, ‘ef we has ter stop ye with a club.” And so urged, Tecumseh struck out— The secret of **He ar’ jest a “A frog!—he would!—a woo! —ing go! Whether !—his mother!—would let ’m!—or no! Sing iddley ! — diddley ! — diddiey !— doo! ~— de- doo!—de-doo!”’ The first verse ended, he jumped into the second, which was the sime thing over again and so he ost it up until several verses had been rendered, The crowd applauded, at each verse, but pres- ently Tecumseh’s voice began to weaken per- ceptibly. ** Keep er up!” one man shouted, up! Pe Rt ar’ dry work,” answered the bummer, et keep up steam ’thout something in ther iler, “We reckons that wull do, anyhow,” said the landlord. ‘‘ Come up an’ git yer tickler.” And Tecumseh came. He never refused any- thing of that sort, Besides, he had fairly earned it. ‘That was well done, well done indeed,” the t was complimenting. ‘‘It was better than could do myself. But then I am no singer, net Denes hold is poetry, and at that I lay claim to being chief,” He dashed off into another recitation, to the amusement of all hearers, eres Dick bad his eyes on the fellow the while. ‘* That chap isn’t what he seems, and I’m bet- ting on it,” he said to himself. ““? wonder what he is up to?” The poet didn’t seem to be anything else, how- ever, to the casual observer, and so Dick was alone in the suspicion he bad formed. ‘But, child of the gods asI at,” the poet presently complained, ‘* J have no hotel to craw ** keep ’er Yprreremens s+ ow What am I going to do?” ** Lots 0’ room outdoors,” one man suggested. “Sad 1s my lot, that 1 should ever come to that,” the mournful sigh, Tell yer what Pll do,” spoke up Tecumseh, ‘* What is that, noble friend?” **1l] share my lodgin’ wi’ ye.” A roar of laughter greeted his generous offer. ** Noble heart!” cried the poet, ‘‘ But, where do yourepose your weary clay o’ nights?” ** Last night I crawled in under ther rear of ther Never-Get-Left, an’ slept there like ary rug ina bug.” “Well, if nothing better offers, may hap I will accept your offer,” Mr, Finn promised, ‘‘ Little I dreamed it would come to such a pass, how- ever,” With another sigh he turned away and saun- tered out.” Dick had worked his way near to Tecumseh, and now touched bis arm, ‘*Hillol!” Tecumseh exclaimed, seeing who it was. ‘How did ye rest last night, me friend?” “Rested: fine,” Dick answered. ‘‘ Would ye like ter have another drink of that soul-harrow- ing bug-juice?” **T never refuse,” was the assurance. * Aliright, I’) order a glass of et, an’ we'll set down hyar an’ have a little talk.” ‘* I’m agreeable ter that.” So Dick ordered the poison, and they sat down. ‘* Whar’s yer own dose?’ Tecumseh asked in surprise. ““T don’t keer fer any jest now,” was Dick’s evasive response to that. We know that it had been months since Dick had tasted a drop of anything of the sort. He had cut it off slick and clean, and found that be was the better for it. His wind and strength had never been so good, ** Ain’t ye well?” Tecumseh urged. He didn’t see how anything short of sickness or death could take away a man’s appetite for that sort of thing. “Oh, yes, I’m well enough,” was Dick’s re- sponse; ‘‘ but this’isn’t my time of day to lay in ther inflocence. I want ter talk with ye a bit.” “ All rigkt, fire abead.” - “You remember that ar coffing last night.” ‘© Wull, rather!” “ And you remember the note that was in et.” ‘*-You bet!” “Waal, do yer know £ hev been thinkin’ about that ar’.” - ‘What do yer think erbout et?” ‘*T have an idee that ‘ar note was fer you, an’ that et ar’ resky fer me ter be sleepin’ thar in yer place,” * Does yer want ter back out of yer bargain? Yer gits no money back ef yer do. Et ar’ yer own loss ef yer throws et up, Mister Tablet.” ‘¢ Yer don’t onderstand me, quite, Yer see, et bits me thar was a reason fer that ’ar warnin’ bein’ sent ter you, av’ et ain’t no more’n fair that ye should put me on me guard.” ‘**T begins ter see.” ‘“ Wrinstance, mebby ye hev been pokin’ yer nose around that’ar Jim Fiddler’s ground, er somethin’ 0° that sort, ‘Sh! Tecumseh whispered, leaning forward. ** Yer has hit et, pardner.” ‘*Then yer wants ter do ther square thing an’ tell me all about et, I don’t want ter be in dan- ger an’ not know how ter look fer et.” CHAPTER XII. TECUMSEH TELLS TALES, TECUMSEH leaned far over toward his new friend, and said; ‘«T has ther idee, pard, that et ar’ best ter be keerful how we talks ’bout sartain things.” ‘¢ What makes yer think that?” * ‘Mars around,” ‘Waal, they can’t overhear us, ther way we is talkin’ now.” “No; but they kin see us, an’ mebby they'll spect I'm tellin® tales out 0’ school,” ‘*Then yer thinks thar is foes about?” ** Wiz like ez not.” ‘* Who be they?” ‘* Saay, did yer ever seea leetle camp like this so all-fired full o’ boarders afore?” ‘* Never did, that’s so,” ** An’ they is galoots what don’t do no work, puther,” ‘*That ar’ queer, ter say ther least.” ** Bit ar’ more’n queer.” ‘* What do they do, then?” ** Jest loaf around, sleep a night they is gone.” ‘Mebby they is ther pards of this hyer Jim Fiddler what we hears about.” “Yer has hit et, I opine. But who ar’ Jim good deal, an’ at
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Deadw 11 Fiddler? Did yer ever see any man what’s seen | reminder that I mustn’t be ketched thar no him?” *“No; but then I’m a stranger hyar.” **it wouldn’t make no difference ef yer had been byar a thousan’ years.” “Yer talks ez ef yer didn’t b’liove thar was any sech man,” ‘**'That’s et; yer has hit et ergain.” “Saay, I’m gittin’ interested, pardner, me fill that ’ar glass up fer ye ergain.” **T don’t mind ef yer do,” Dick was playing his best, in his assumed gaa and taking the glass he had it re- led. ‘Yer has struck a snap,” he said, with a grin, as he gave it to Tecumseh, ‘‘I am interested in what yer tells me though, so et’s all right.” ‘¢ What was I sayin’?” the bummer asked, “Yer was jest goin’ ter tell me what hap- pened,” ‘¢ What happened?” Yes: don’t yer know? Yer done somethin’ that made ’em send that ’ar coffing to ye, with ther warnin’ in et,” Tecumseh glanced around furtively. **Et ar’ resky,” he declared, ‘but I ruther likes ye, an’ [ll chance et,” ** Fer et may be ther means o’ savin’ my neck, yer know,” Dick reminded, * That’s so. Waal, ther other night I took et inter my head ter foller some o’ these hyar fel- lers, an’ I done so, An’ they went right off in- ter Fiddler’s land, straight.” ** Ah-bal” ‘Vas; straight. An’ I after ’em. I hadn’t no tangle in my legs then, an’ [ done et brown, An’ what do yer think I seen?” ** Give et up.” “*T seen ’em enter a cave, an’ thar I heerd mighty queer noises,” ‘Yer don’t tell!” “Sure ez ye live. I watched.” ** An’ what did yer see?” Dick was leaning forward too, and his eyes were wide open as though with the most intense excitemant, And this breathless interest encouraged Te- cumseh the more, and made him feel like a very important personage filled with mystery. ; = i ih did I see?” he repeated, ‘* What didn’t see ‘¢ Somethin’ awful, I sh*u’d think.” ‘Not so orful ez et was strange. “Thar was devils in that ’ar cavern,” “ Devils!” “ Jest su. I seen ’em,.” ** An’ what was they doin’? Come, yer has fired me cl’ar up wi’ ’citement.” “Pll tell yer what they was doin’. They had big lights thar, an’ a big masheen o’ some at an they was grindin’ an’ punchin’ like muad, ‘* An’ they diskivered you right thar, hey?” “Not much! An’ I’m glad they didn’t, too, os don’t reckon they’d ’a’ let me goef they ad. “Then how did they know ye had been thar?” “Tm comin’ ter that now. I got skart a- lookin’ at ’em, an’ I made up my mind ter git out o’ that jest ez soon as 1 could. So, down ther ledge I crawled, mighty keerful, till I was *most to ther bottom, an’ thar I stopped short.” ‘“* What wur et!” ‘** Et war armed men on guard, that’s what. My ha’r jest riz on eend, Thar I was, an’ thar was them; au’ I was in a fix,” *¢] sh’u’d think so!” ‘* But I waited, an’ purty soon they moved off @ leetle, an’ then down I got an’ jest scooted fer all I was worth.” An? they didn’t see ye?” “* Nixey.’ : ** Then how did they git onto et?” “‘T ain’t done wi’ me story yet. I'll show yer now. | run’d till I was out o’ sight o’ ther cavern, an’ then I jest walked Spanish fer home fer all I was wu’th.” ** An’ they heard ye, an foller’d,” ‘No, no, Jest let me tell et, ef yer will.” * All right, but hurry.” p “Waal, I was pacin’ et off lively, when all of a suddent a rifle was popped under me nose, an? a feller tells me ter up wi’ me hands or he’d plump plumbum inter me vitals, I put ’em u “Tsh’u’d think so.” “And then he wanted ter know whar I’d been, an’ tell ye I had ter lie like sin ter git out of et. An’ he didn’t let me go, nuther, till another chap had come au’ sounded me, But I fooled ’em, an’ they Jet me off.” “‘ An’ that’s all thar is to et, hey?” “That's all; an’ I opine that’ar coffing was a Let An’I got a good place an’ —_—_—_e——oo i more,” ‘* Very likely. And I don’t believe you ever will be, hey?” ** Nary a oncet, you bet!” “Waal, ’m much ’bleeged to ye fer postin’ me. JT)l know ernough ter stay away from Mister Fiddler’s domain, you kin jest gamble. But, thar’s yer poet pard a-lookin’ fer yo, 1 reckon,” Fergurson Finn had entered again, and was looking around. His eyes soon fell upon the bummer, and he advanced to where be and Dick were seated, ‘* Here you are, eh?” he greeted. ‘I don’t want to interrupt a pleasant chat, but would like to talk with you when you are at liberty.” ‘Yer kin set right down bhyar an’ talk all yer wants ter,” Tecumseh invited, ‘‘ This hyar is Mister Tablet, what has rented my shanty, an’ he ar’ one of ther best fellers yer ever met.” “Glad to know you, Mr, Tablet,” the poet greeted, extending his hand, ‘‘My name is Fergurson Finn, and I’m a poet by birth, It does me pleasure to make your acquaintance, [ assure.” ‘*Reckon we is mutually tickled, then,” re- sponded Dick, grasping the proffered hand, “Tm allus glad ter make new ’quaintances,” ** An’ Mister Tablet ar’ a he-boss, you bet!” cried Tecumseh, ‘‘ He licked ther wu’stman in ther camp jest afore you kem.” ‘“*Ha! LI heard something about that outside there. So, you are the gentleman, eh?” ‘“*Oh, that was nothin’,” Dick easily passed over. “Nothing! Sir, I saw the man you whipped, and he looked big enough for two of you.” ‘“‘Tt was only chance that helped me out of et.” ‘‘T know better,” Tecumseh declared, flatly, ‘Yer has ther stregth of a big giant, Mister Tablet, an’ I’d back ye ’g’inst any odds,” ‘* An’ lose yer money. Et was only luck, I tells ye.” ** Tt was bad luck for your by the way he looked,” the poet remarked, Dick had been studying the man again, and was more than ever impressed that he was other than he seemed, In fact he was now sure of it. And he had noticed, too, that the man was eying him with the keenest scrutiny whenever their eyes met, i felt sure the man was no stranger to im, They talked on for some time, about nothing in particular, and the poet took his leave. “What do you know about that man?” Dick then asked of Tecumseh. ‘* No more’n you do,” the answer, ‘* He seems to have taken a fancy to you, any- how.” “Yas; but I don’t see why he should, now that yer speaks "bout et,” *T would look out fer him, ef I was you,” Dick cautioned, ‘‘ He don’t please my eye over much,” ‘* What do yer think ar’ wrong with him?” _ “Oh, I don’t know, pard; I may be wrong ter jedge him. But I wouldn’t tell him this hyar what yer has jest been tellin’ me.” ** No, I reckon I won't.” “* But, yer didn’t finish that, did yer?’ ‘Yas, I guess so.” “Did yer go back ter look fer ther place ergain?”’ _ “That's so, I didn’t tell ye bout that part of it. I went back thar in ther daytime, when knowed ther way was open ter all, an’I looked fer that ’ar cavern.” ‘* An’ what was et like by daylight?” be Et wasn’t like nothin’, fer i didn’t find et er all,’ “ Yer didn’t find et!” “Nary. Et was clean gone.” “Yer must ’a’ struck ther wrong place.” “No I didn’t, nuther’ I know ther place was all right, but ther cavern war gone as slick as a whistle.” ‘*T can’t onderstand that.” “No, ner me, nuther; but at ar’ ther fact jest ther same.” ** An’? wasn’t nobody thar ter drive ye off?” —*Nary a soul, fer Jim Fiddler’s ground is all open by daytime.” “But et was after that. that ther coffing kem to yer shanty, of course.” Yes.” opponent, anyhow, “That tells ther story, then, Somebody seen ye prowlin’ around thar, an’ so they’ve gey ye warnin’ not tocome ergain. Eft I was you I wouldnt go "thin a mile vi ther place fer a hun- dred dollars,” : ood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. And Tecumseh was of the same mind. Their confab lasted a little longer, when Dick took leave of the man he had so artfully pumped, CHAPTER XIII, DICK GETS AT THE SECRET. Dick returned to the shanty. There supper was awaiting him, and all en- joyed the simple repast. As the doors were open, all took care to ime up the assumed characters, and so foresta chance detection. The coffin had been taken out, and now leaned idly agaiost the side of the shanty, awaiting a call for its peculiar sort of usefulness, apparent-- ly. Tre meal finished, Dick and Kate held a con- sultation in private. That over, Dick attended to the needs of their mules, still tethered behind the shanty, and then sauntered away up tbe, valley, It was daylight yet, in fact the sun was not out of sight, but another hour would find dark- ness drawing on, and the moon would not rise early. When he had gone some distance, he sat down on a bowlder, watching toward the direction of the camp he had left. **T guess it’s all right,” he mused, ‘* I don’t believe any one saw me strike out in this direc- tion, If any one did he is not paying any further attention to me.” By stooping a little, he could gain the cover of some rocks without chance of being seen again from the direction of the camp, and doing that, proceeded, and was soon in the zulch, " It was the way by which he had come into the camp on the previous night, and conse- quently the way led to Jim Fiddler’s ground, He made haste to get within the forbidden ter- ritory. Finally he came to the point where the guards- man had been posted, which he instantly recog- nized, Beyond that point he proceeded with more caution, Taking from his pocket the pictures his noble little life “‘ pard” had taken on the sly during their passage through the forbidden ground, he looked at them. And from them he looked at the scenery pees | the way, until presently an exclamation escape him. ‘*Hal this is one of the spots!” he muttered. “T am in the right direction, anyhow. Now, two more, and then the cavern.” He pressed on, but presently came to a fork, where be paused in doubt which way to go, Looking again at the pictures, however, he found that one of them represented that very scene, but taken from the opposite direction, of course, and that guided him, “Now,” he said to himself, ‘one more, and then I shall have to use all caution as L approach the home-base of the rascally crew. They may dose me with lead on sight, if they discover me.” He pressed forward, looking for the original powers of the pext picture, and ere long discov- ered it, The next in order called for the scene at the lighted cavern. This picture he studied well, as he knew he should have to, since Tecumseh had declared that the cavern had a way of disappearing. The picture represented a ragged scene, well up from the trail, with the lighted cavern in the center. Above and around 1t was a wild mass of rock that looked like all such places, Near the bottom of the picture were caught the tops of some mountain pines, bebind which seemed to be a jutting ledge. ‘ As he studied 1t, the rock wall just above these tree-tops seemed to assume the form of a rude cross, He studied it well. Yes, there it was, big and rude, but a form that could not be mistaken when seen again. ‘The cross will guide me,” he, nursed as he now put the pictures away, ‘ Ill look for that, since I mustn’t expect to find the picture repeated in the original.” : His progress now was with all caution. Stooping under the rocky ledge, he went along ina bent position for a time, till he came toa place where Jess shelter was afforded, . Here he lay down and crept along, determined not to be seen if care would be of any advantage toward guarding against it. Later on the nature of the trail permitted him to walk again, and with a weapon in hand he pressed on, Suddenly he bend. balted, as he rounded an abrupt af
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12 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. Just ahead, on the right, were some stunted ‘pines such as he had been looking out for. He examined tha rock above them with critical eye, but there was no outline of rude cross, and certainly no cavern entrance. As the picture had been taken coming from the opposite direction, however, he knew that he must pass the trees in order to catch the right view of the original in order to recognize it. But here it was a hazardous proceeding, There was but one safe way, and that was to repeat the creeping process, be sun was now set, and the shadows were deepening rapidly, which was in his favor, but no time was to be lost. Keeping close to the side from which he look- ed for discovery if it came at all, he crept for- ward with the silence of a cat, and at Jast had passed tie trees, Then to venture a look in the direction he had come was the next thing to be done, To step out into the trail would be to invite detection, yet where he was he could not get the view he desired, Just a little further on was a growth of bushes, however, that promised the protection he need- ed, so he crept forward till he had gained that. Here he rose up, and peering cautiously over the top of the bushes, took a ne and critical survey of the scene before him, It was unsat- rr gia at first, but there were things to con- sider. The picture had been taken by moonlight, with the moon slanting from an easterly direc- tion. Now it was scant daylight, with the light falling upon the rocky wall from the west, He could not expect to find the light and sbade the same, Taking the picture from his pocket he studied it well. The outline of the cross was not to be seen now, but the tops of the trees were identical with thos in the picture, and point by point he made out the rocks to be the same in spite of the difference in the shadows, ' ** It is the spot,” he finally decided, ‘‘ and near the top of that middle pine is the opening to the eavero. But where is 1t vow?” There was certainly nothing of the kind there now, nor did it appear as though there ever had been, Without the aid of the picture he would hardly have been able to find the place, even had h: seen it before, which he had not, “That is the spot,” be fully decided, “ and what I do has got to be done in a hurry, There’s no time for fooling, for the men will soon be astir, I have no doubt.” The middle tree of the group of pines was the ‘tallest of the lot, and marking that well with his eyes, Dick dropped down and crept back again ‘toward it, Reaching its shade, ho had to climb up the rocks a little way to reach tha trunk, but he did not hesitate, and soon had the satisfaction of Jaying his hand on it. A moment’s pause, then, and ho began to climb, : His plan was now easily understood. He would climb the tree and watch from its top. With due caution, and as much silence as pos- sible, he made his way up througi the ragged and scraggy branches, until finally be could see above the other trees, Here he stopped, deciding that it was as far as he ought to go. Here, while he could overlook the tops of the other trees, their foliage was a screen for his body, and be could see everything that took place on the narrow plateau. A plateau he had discovered the ledge to be, but in looking for the opening to the cavern, he was baffled, No such opening was to be fonnd, nor any signs of a place that was likely to prove the hiding of such opening. Dick was puzzled. There was nothing to be doue but to wait, so he made himself as comfortable as possible, A considerable time passed, and the darkness all around was intense, Tbe first warning sound to reach the ears of the watcher, was the sound of voices on the plateau, Nothing could be seen, there was no light, and be could not distinguish any words; but there were evidently several men there, This lasted for a considerable time longer, till at last steps were heard on the trail below, Following that, movements were heard on the narrow plateau, and presently a light flashed forth in the darkness, It proved to be a torch in the hands of a man, and by its light Dickcould see clearly the fea- ‘fures of the other men standing around, ee a ee ee ee ee OR ee ee ba) They were nearly all men whom he had seen at Last Chance, and to recognize them again would be a matter of course, They were his prey from that moment, if he should want them. Another torch or two soon added to the light, and by the light the men in the guich began to make their way up the rugged trail that lay partly under the shadow of the pines, Dick was looking down to get sight of these, and presently found that there were about half a dozen of them, Altogether there wers about a dozen or fifteen men of the mysterious company. When next be glanced up to the plateau a surprise awaited his wondering eyes, for there right before him was a broad, dark opening in the rocks, How it had come there he could not discover. Certainly no sound had been made that was ioud en®ugh to draw his attention, and he was at loss to account for the manner of the mystery. There it was though, and there was no deny- ing that part of it. When the men from below had gained the plateau, and Dick caught sight of their faces, he gave a start of surprise. One was the portly Mr, Sturgiss who had come in by the stage that afternoon, and ap- other was Mr, Fergurson Finn, the seedy-looking self-styled poet. ‘““Ha!” exclaimed Dick, in mind, ‘this is your lay, isit? Vl be able to get at you yet, my lanky friend, if I give you rope enough.” ‘“*Are the men on guard all right?” he now heard asked, ‘Yas, they is all right,” a response was spoken, ‘*Good enough, Light up, then, and we'll get at work, A little longer bere and we'll strike out for other quarters, ‘* Yas,” spoke the other voice, ‘fer et ar’ get- tin’ too warm hyar. Thar are too much curios- ity bein’ roused about Jim Fiddler. Better he’d never been beard of,” One of the torch-bearers had entered the cay- ern, and soon a blaze of light shone forth from within, revealing to the watcher in the tree the whole secret of the den at a glance. The story of Jim Fiddler was merely a myth, as he now knew, and this was the reason the place was so jealously guarded. With eager eyes he watched the proceedings of the next hour and then fully satisfied, descended the tree to make his way back to the camp, CHAPTER XIV. A WARNING DULY PUNCHED. “THe next thing is something else,” Dick mused, when he had gained the lower trail once more, There, as he had discovered, were two men on guard, about as Tecumseh had described, and to try to pass them would mean a fight. He decided that he would have to wait, trusting to them to move away and give him the opportunity he wanted. And as it hap- pened he did not have to wait long. The men presently came together under the tree bebind~ which he was biding, and after a few minutes talk, parted and went off in oppo- site directions, leaving the immediate coast all clear, Dick came forth with caution, and dropping to hands and knees, crept away in the direction he had come, By this time he knew something about these guardsmen and their beats. These two were, so to say, the inner guard, Their sections were short, and in the vicinity of Se home base, So Dick knew they would: not go far ere they started to return, and that he must find another hiding-place or prepare to fight his wey through the line, He remembered a little further ahead a place where there was a natural shelf of rock over- hanging the ground, which he had noticed in eons in, and meant to gain that point if he could, He had no more time than he wanted, as he found, As be drew near to the cleft he heard the steps of the guardsman on his return. He had barely reached the place and rolled in under the rock when the man came alons, pass- ing by without a suspicion of the nearness of a oe, When be had gore Dick rolled out again, and now, springing to his feet. made all the haste he could with silence to get away from so dan- gerous a locality. He knew that his life would be of little value if he was discovered, But he was not out of the woods yet. The outer guard had to be passed, for he was now undoubtedly on his post, As Dick approached the place where he ex- pected to find him, he used more caution, and presently discovered his man, The moon was just rising, and outlined against its magnified disk at a distances down the gulch was the guardsman, leaning on his rifle and wide awake and on the alert. Here the redoubtable Richard looked for trouble, He did not see how he was going to pass that point without discovery, and yet that was what he wanted to do. Not that he feared the man, for he could get the ‘‘drop” on him and pick him off if neces- sary, but that was not what he wanted to do. Dick did not shed blood where it was to be avoided, and all he cared for was to get out of Jim Fiddler’s ground without allowing any one to know he had been there at all. Using every precaution, Dick advanced, keep- ing well in the shadows, and presently was within a few yards of the guardsman. Here he was bebind a shoulder of rock, and knew that it would be impossible for him-to go any further without discovery, for the way was now open and light. While he was studying the situation, trying to think of some plan for drawing the man away from his post, the guardsman got down from the point of rock upon which he had been standing. For a moment Dick lost sight of him, but presently saw him coming toward the point where he stood. Dick drew a weapon, [and stood on the de- fensive. If discovered, he meant to be the first to get in a shot, As he waited, however, he heard steps coming from the opposite direction as well. He was in the shadow where he stood, and now drew back as far as possible and found that he was not likely to be seen without search, As the persons came on they and the guards- man were destined to meet at or near the point where Dick was. Two men were vow in sight, coming on at a rapid walk, and just as they reached the point where Dick was in hiding the guardsman stopped them, ‘* Hold up byar!” Dick heard him sing out. And he recognized the voice as that of Mr. Dominick Draper. He had seen this man at the camp since he had come there, and knew him for a jovial rascal. “ We're going out, not in,” one of the men re- sponded, And these Dick had recognized as Alban Stur- gis ‘and Fergurson Finn, the moon shining full upon them as they passed. ‘*Can’‘t help what way ye’re goin’,” declared the guardsman, ‘‘ef yer don’t want a plug of ther pleb’ian plumbum jest elevate yer flips, that’s all.” The men laughed, ‘* Well, up they are, then,” said one. ‘*That’s er desired style; an’ now jest deliver ther pass.” *¢ Legal tender,” ‘Good ernough; yer kin pass. Yer see no aregh am goin’ ter git by hyar what ain’t all right, ‘* That’s the way to do it, and the only way,” complimented Sturgiss, ‘‘ Bring the next man to a halt in the same way.” ‘Yer kin bet [ will.” The two men passed on, and after standing there by the rocky projection for a few moments the guard returned to his post. Dick’s plan was now formed. mp Raed to use the password he had just heard, Takivg off his false beard, he waited a few minutes longer and then set off up the gulch at a rapid walk, In a brief time he was at the point where the sentinel was stationed, and the usual challenge was made. ‘* Ho’ up!” was the cry, in brief abbreviation. Dick stopped promptly and put up bis hands, at the same time saying burriedly: 2 ‘‘ Legal tender, pard, I’m in a rush ter ketch ther two that went out a few minutes ago.” “* All right, scoot erlong with yer, then.” And so he was allowed to go, and in due time was in the camp once more and at the rear door of the shanty. It wasopened by Kate, when he had given their understood signal, and he passed in. ‘Well, what luck?’ Kate asked, “Good!” answered Dick. ‘‘ Your pictures did the business,” "
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“ Then you found the place!” ‘ “Yes; and got at the bottom of the mystery, 00, ‘What was it?” ‘Counterfeiting; just what we suspected from the first.” “I’m glad you had such success, Dick, and, that you are back again all right, for I kave been worried about you.” ‘* Why so, little one? You knowI have the lives of a cat.” ** And cats have only one, the best of them.” ** But what made you so anxious?” ‘* Something has happened here,” ** And what was it?” “Dll tell you; We were startled just after dark by bearing several pistol-shots, all in a volley, andthe more startled to hear the bullets come thudding into the side of the shanty here.” ‘* The deuce!” ** Wait till you hear all. It was over in one second’s time, and we heard no more, and after a good long wait I ventured out to look around, Nothing was to be seen in the direction from which the bullets had come, I next looked for the ey where they had struck,” “ ell?” ‘*T found that they had been fired at the coffin, from a distance of fifty yards or so, and nearly all had hit 16, There had been six or eight of the shots, as I guessed when I heard them. In the coffin, as I looked, I discovered another piece of paper about like the one you found there first, but the writing on it was something entirely different.” “This gets interesting, pet. What was it?” ‘* Here it is, Dick.” She took as she spoke a folded paper from her pocket and put it into Dick’s hand. Two or three holes were noticeable on it, the work of the bullets had been hurled into the coffin, and opening it Dick read: “PRIVATE WARNING. “Deadwood Dick it won’t work. ‘Your little game isup. Get out in less than twenty-four hours, or you will have such holes as these in your body. We mean business straight. If you have good sense you will heed this warning. “COMMITTEE OF COMPULSION.” Dick’s brows knit, and a flerce light shone in his eyes, ‘¢ How have they got onto us, Kate?” he ques- tioned, reflectively. . “That is just what I would ask you, Dick,” was the reply. “And I give it up. No; hang me if I do, either!” “Then you have guessed it?” ‘*T believe I have. That »retended poet has something to do with it, I’m sure of that,” “ee you have fastened somethiog upon him “Saw him and Sturgiss both at the counter- feiters’ den not an hour ago,” Dick answered in sa eo “Then it has been he,” ‘Yes; and 1 knew the fellow was more than he seemed, Well, they bave given me twenty- four hours’ grace, and [ guess that wil] be time enough to scoop them, Talking business, Dick and his little life-pard talked more as men would be likely to talk to each other, They held quite a lengthy conference, and then together left the shanty, after first having told their protegee, Mrs. Makewell, something of their plans, and giving her warning against ad- mitting any one, : It was not Dick’s desire to have Kate accom- pony him into such rough haunts, but the little ady bad a will of ber own, and hal declared that if she was his ‘‘ pard” she must go with him through thick and thin; and that where danger was for bim, that was the place for her to be, He knew the sort of metal she was made of, and could trust her as far as she dared trust her- self, and be had not yet seen the limit of her daring. i So, to the Never-Get-Left they want. It was now getting on late in the evening, but excitement at the saloon was still going on. As Dick entered he saw Alban Sturgiss and Fergurson Finn seated together at a tabls, talk- ing over a glass of something of the double- strength sort They had their backs to the entrance, end Dick and Kate went over and dropped into seats im- mediately behind them. The two were talking in low tones, but Dick’s ears were keen, and by close attention he was able to overbear a deal of what was being said, And heh something of interest, SS eS Se ——————————E—E—E—E—E—E—E—E—EeEEe———eee CHAPTER XV. HARD-HITTER’S REVENGE, ‘‘ THEN what has got to be done?” Mr. Stur- giss had just asked, Dick leaned back in his chair, in order to be the nearer to the ‘“ poet,” and so catch his reply. R Une of two things,” was the answer, and there was nothing very poetical in the matter- of-fact way in which it was spoken. ‘* And they are—” ‘“‘Bither Deadwood Dick must be got rid of, or we must be out of this within the same: limit of time ourselves,” ‘‘ Nonsense! He is only one against twenty.” ** And he’s enough in himself to overbalance the whole twenty,” was the response to that. Mr, Sturgiss laughed. ‘*T tell you he is,” Fergurson continued. “TI guess I know something about him and what he can do. He’s the man, and you can depend on it. * But how are we going to poe it?” ‘*He has given the proof already, in the way in which he ey oe that big fellow, as we have heard it told. Iknow of one man only who could have done that,” ** Well, how to do away with kim?” ** Somehow—anyhow. If he don’t mosey out in the morning, then let’s have a man pick him off on the sly.’ ‘““T hate to do that, but if it is that or the other, why I'll not hold back, I hope he will take the hint and draw out of the game without any fuss,” “ But he won't; he isn’t that sort.” ‘‘Then suppose we act upon your suggestion and get out ourselves,” “7 have been thinking about that since I offered it. It won’t work, for the men won’t agree to it.” ‘*We are boss of what they'll do and what they won't.” **Don’t be so sure of that, But, even if they would, that devil would only follow us up, now that he bas scented us.” ‘* Then you think be suspects?” ‘*) would bet a hundred dollars that’s what he’s here for,” “Well, I don’t see how it can be; but if I thought it was so he wouldn’t see the sun rise,” At that interesting point Tecumseh, the bum- mer, came along and interrupted the talk, ‘*A frog!—he would !—a_woo!—ing go!” So he was humming, but he stopped short at sight of his new comrade, the poet, exclaim- ing: J Bless my eyes, but here ye are at last! I have been lookin’ all over fer ye, an’ thort ye had picked up an’ got out o’ camp.” cf ‘Ob, no; I’m here yet,” was the impatient re- sponse, ‘* But, whar hev ye been?” “Why, I have fallen in with Mr. Sturgiss, here, and through a little favor I was able to sg him he has taken me in to lodge with m, ““Oh-ho! Then et looks ez ef ye wouldn't have no need of my humble quarters under ther saloon byar,” Tecumseh was bound to let the arrangement out in full, ‘Well, no, 1 rather think not, now. You see, lam a child of the gods, and fortune is bound to smile on me.” ' “Then I only wish I was a child of ther gods meself, about now, fer this is ther time o’ night that I’m therdryest, Sorry ter lose ye as a bed- feller, but glad of yer good Inck jest ther same.” ** Don’t mention it, don’t mention it at all,” the poet waived, : ‘* And here, my good fellow,” added Sturgiss, “here is a dollar, Go and fill yourself up full with it,” He leaned back as he said this, to extend his arm behind Fergurson to reach the bummer, and as he did so he caught sight of who was b hind his companion, ; Dick happened to have hiseye on him at the same moment, in a sly way, and he noted that he grew deadly pale for just a moment, “Thanks, noble sir, thanks!” cried the bum- mer, taking the money greedily, ‘* What can I do in return for sech noble deeds? Say the word, an’ I'll sing forty or fifty verses of—” “Heaven forbid!” gasped Sturgiss. ‘‘Take it and go, that is all.” Tecumseh uttered more thanks, but_finally bowed and scraped himself away, and Fergur- gon turned again to Sturgiss, , That would he the best thing to do anyhow,” he resumed, *‘ and—” 13 But he stopped short at a sign from the otber. “Say, I'm tired of the ncise of this den,” he spoke, ‘* Let’s get out of it and finish our talk elsewhere,” That ended all, and Fergurson, looking about. to learn the cause of the interruption, saw Adam Tablet and his young brother just behind them, engaged in earnest conversation, The pair passed out of the saloon, ‘* What do you think of all that, Dick?” asked Kate, in a whisper. “T think there is going to be a little circus here before we are much older, that’s what I think,” was the grim response, ‘“ And you think we'll be in it?” “ Right in the ring, Kate.” ‘‘T have been thinking it all over, Dick, and L have come to the conclusion that the sooner we wind this up, the better,” ‘““My thought exactly, little one, I have an idea that this very night is the time for us to seize the den,” : “T am glad that our thoughts run in the same direction so often,” “And I’m glad that I’ve got a ‘ pard’ who can take such a bold of matters as youdo. You are my second self, Kate. No wonder they dubbed us the tandem team, eh?” After some further exchange of remarks, they left the saloon and returned to the shanty, There Dick left Kate for a time, and went to find Mansen Gilberts, He was at the hotel, and as Dick had laid off bis disguise, he was of course unknown when he went in, Stepping up to the mine-manager, he asked if his name was Gilberts, and being told that it was, said be wanted a few minutes’ tall in pri- vate, The manager followed him to the piazza, ‘¢ Well, who are you?” he questioned, ‘* What do you want?” “19m Deadwood Dick,” wastheanswer,. * I’ve got at the bottom of that matter, and the time is ripa to strike,” **'The deuce! do it, man!” ‘*]’ve got there all the same,” assured Dick. * And what’s to be done?” “*Get out our men, very quietly, and go and take the rascals,” With that he made a burried explanation of it all, awaking the keenest interest, ‘¢ 71] have the men ready in twenty minutes,” he promised, ‘¢There’s one precaution to take,” Dick men- tioned, ‘** And what’s that?” ‘¢ We must wait till this man Sturgiss and his. tool are in for the night,” ‘Why not take them now?” “J have something further to do with them to-morrow,” “Hal then you have other fishes in the pan besides these we are frying now?” ‘* Rather the same ones to be cooked twice, Mr, Gilberts, Now, you get your men and have them armed, and Jet them assemble at the head of the valley one by one, so as not to attract at- tention, and I will meet you there in say balf an hour,” ** All right.” “1 will play the sy upon Sturgiss and his man for a time, till I am sure of their remaining in, and then we'll be off,” ‘Very well, I understand, I will be there,” “ We will make a job of it. We will strike a deathblow to this sort of business here.” So they parted, Mr, Gilberts going off in one direction v hile Dick set out in the other, aiming for the cabin occupied by Sturgiss. Passing around it, he came up to the shadow- ed side, and there, through a chink in the wall, he could see the light from witbin, Approaching and applying his eye, he discov- ered that the men were preparing for bed. “They are safe enough, unless somethin alarms them or they are called out,” be mused, “and I'll take my chances of all that.” From there he went direct to bis own shanty. And it was here that a startling surprise awaited him. On coming to the door, he was surprised and startled to find that it had been split and nearly foreed from the binges, The yan ton open, of course, and there was no light within, Weapons in hand, Dick cleared the sill at a bound and cslled to his little ** pard. A moan from one side of the room was the answer, i ‘“‘ Heavens! what has happened?” Dick gasped. With all haste he struck a match, aad as 800m as it blazed up he made a discovery, Why, you haven’t had time to
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14 Dead There on the floor lay Mrs. Makewell, bound and gagged, and her little daughter beside ber in the same predicament, Lighting the lamp, Dick took a hasty look into the outer room, only to find that Kate was gone. ‘“ My God!” he gasped, ‘‘ what can it mean?” Hastily putting down the lamp, he freed Mrs, Makewell. ‘“ What has happened?” he ** Where is Kate? Tell me, quick.” ‘“She has been carried off!” was the gasped cry. ** By whom?” ‘“ A big, terrible-looking man, with his eyes ajl black and blue, He broke in the door before we had heard a sound, and was upon us before we could do a thing.” ‘* Why didn’t Kate kill him at the instant?” ‘* She was near the door, and when he broke it ®pen she was knocked down.” ** Poor Kate! But, tell me, do you know which way she was taken? I must be after her this minute.” “The brute said he would take her to a place where she would be legal tender, as he called it, whatever it meant, That is all I know,” ‘ Dick knew in a moment where to search for er. ‘* How long has she been gone?” ** Not more than fifteen minutes, sir, at most.” ‘Then Dll have bim, Can you render me some help, think you?” ‘*T can, and will. Only direct me what todo.” In all haste, then, Dick told her of the plan to attack the rascals at the cavern, and desired her to meet Mr, Gilberts at the head of the valley and tell him of what bad bappened, and that be, Dick, had gone on to the rescue of bis wife, And, it understood, Dick set out in haste. demanded. CHAPTER XVI. DICK DEALS THE DEATHBLOW. Dick entered the gulch at a run, His wife was in the hands of merciless ruf- fians! And at a run be continued until he was brought to a stop by the challenge of the guar- dian of the way. Dick bad removed his disguise, as we have seen, 80 appeared now the same as when he had gone out some time before, as narrated. The challenge was the same as before, and as forcible, ‘¢ Yer seems ter be in a hurry,” Mr. Dominick Draper remarked. **'You bet I am,” answered Dick, ‘* an’ wi’ good reason, too. Did he git her in all safe?” “Git whoin? What yer talkin’ ’bout?” ‘““Why, Hard-hitter, of course. Didn’t he go in with ther young feller?” ‘*T sees yer knows all about et. Yes; he went in, an’ bad ther young feller across his back.” ‘*Good fer him! I’mafter him, then. Reckon ye want ther pass?” ‘* Tkem’s what ther orders is,” ‘Legal tender.” ‘* All right, go ahead.” The fellow had lowered his rifle, and Dick started on, but of a sudden, and with the quick- ness of lightning, he wheeled about and covered the man with his revolvers, exclaiming: ‘* Hands up, or you drop!” The fellow was too surprised to.know what to 0. ‘*Up with them!” Dick repeated, fiercely, ‘‘ or you die in your tracks!” There was nothing todo but obey, and that the fellow did, letting his rifle drop. The next moment Dick was upon him and handcuffs were upon his wrists, It was but the work of a minute, then, to gag him effectually, and laying him at one side of the trail, Dick sped on. At the next guardsman’s post he was challeng- edagain, but giving the pass as he ran, he was bounding up the rugged way to the den before the guardsman could tell whether it was right or wrong. Dick was now on dangerous ground. His life was worth little here. But, his wife was in the hands of these villains, and what cared he for the danger. Thrusting bis weapons out of sight, he entered boldly into the lighted front of the cavern. The scene that met his was one that made him more a demon than the cool, calm detective he really was, _Toere, in the midst of a circle of ruffians, was his wife, inthe power of Hard-hitter Jeems, who — just made the discovery of her true charac- r, a a ® Some coarse jest was just passing the fellow’s lips when Dick sprung into the ci: cle, struck him a blow on the nec« that felled him like an ox, and in the same instant Dick’s weapons were in band, Kate had uttered a glad cry, and her hands not being bound, drew her own revolvers with lightning promptness, ‘* Hands up!” thundered Dick. Two or three obeyed, but the others reached for weapons, It was no time for dallying, and Dick’s wea- pons spoke quick, sbarp and fiercely, Every bullet found its mark, too, and in less than balf as many seconds, six of the fellows were dead on the floor—rather, dying. As for Hard-hitter, he had not stirred after his fall, nor did he ever stir again, His neck had been broken. It had beena deathblow for him indeed, ‘‘ Hands up!” Dick cried again, as there was a second’s pause, and every hand went up. “Thank God!” whispered Kate, fervently. ‘‘Keep them covered,” said Dick, quickly, ‘“‘and drop the first one who makes a move to lower his hand. You can shoot as well as I can myself, More are coming.” Leaving Kate to attend to that important mat- ter, which he knew she was fully capable of do- ing, Dick sprung to the entrance, He was just in time, for the two guardsmen from below were just coming. ‘¢ Hands up!” Dick ordered, promptly. One obeyed, but the other made the attempt to lift bis rifle to bis shoulder. A bullet frcem Dick’s weapon dropped bim in the same moment, and the other stood pale and trembling. Driving this man before him, Dick returned to where Kate was standing, and they proceeded to bind the prisoners with rope they found there, and in a short time they were made secure. ‘There, curse you! how do you like that?” Dick cried. ‘© Whoin the dickins are you?” one demanded, ‘Tm called Deadwood Dick,” was the re- sponse, A wurmur of excited comment ran through the group. Dick had caught his wife to his arms, and pressed a kiss upon her lips, ‘* How brave you were, to come so promptly to my rescue, and all alone!” Kate compliment- d ‘ Brave!” echoed Dick. ‘‘I was desperate, I would face the legions of hell itself, under such circumstances, Kate,” ‘*T believe you would.” They talked for a moment longer, and after that Dick made an examination of the den, He discovered here the counterfeit money that had been causing somewhat of trouble in many of the banks recently. The entrance to the cavern, as he found, was covered by a painted canvas, in the daytime appearing so like the rock itself that no one from the trail below could detect the difference. Knowing that Mr, Gilberts and bis men would soon appear, Dick did nothing further until his arrival. Dick hailed bim from above as soon as he ap- eared, and directed him how to ascend to the edge, and when ae had gained the top, his sur- prise can be imagined. ** You didn’t tackle them alone?” he gasped, ** As you see, sir,” answered Dick. ‘*I would do it again, too, under like conditions, even were they twice as many.” hey had a long talk, then, as to how to pro- ceed with the rest of the matter, and finally 1t was arranged to leave the prisoners there in the keeping of Mr. Gilberts’s men until a certain hour in the morning, when they were to be marched into Last Chance, Some would remain to guard the den. bat fixed, Dick and Kate, with Mr. Gilberts and one or two more, returned to the camp. Next morning at an early hour Dick was a caller at the cabin of Mr, Sturgiss and his evil consorts, With him were Mr. Gilberts, two or three men, and Mrs, Makewell and her little daughter. The door was opened by sips may _Dick’s greeting was an order for him to raise his hands, and under the press of necessity it was obeyed. The other two did the same, as weapons covered them all. ‘““ What do you mean by this outrage, sir?” — demanded, putting on a blustering ront. e It means that you are my prisoner, charged with being the chief of the band of counter- = I arrested last night,” was the cool rep y. wood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow. The rascal fell back as though strack dumb, his face like death, He might have 1isked re- sistance, but it was too late now, for hands were upon them and they were helpless. “*T ain’t in it, anyhow,” declared the flashy young woman. “Tf you are not now, you will be,” promised Dick. ‘*I take it you have done a big share at passing the bogus money.” She paled, and he knew he had hit the nail on the head, ‘*But who is this woman?” demanded Stur- giss, as Mrs. Makewell had forced herself in front of hira, **Look and see, Alban Sturgiss Makewerl!” the woman cried, With tae words sbe snatched off her disguise, and he recognized her at once. **-You!” he gasped. ‘Yes, I,” was the response. ‘¢ And whatdo you wavt? What has brought you here?” “‘T want the rights belonging to this child,” the woman demanded, sternly, ‘I have here 4 paper that must have your signature.” “And you bad better sign it, 1 warn you, ordered Dick. ‘‘ Here are witnesses enough for the occasion, and witnesses whose names will have weight enough to bolster up yours.” Mrs. Makewell bad produced the paper, and held it out for the man to look and read if he would, ‘¢T see itis all up, curse you!” he grated, hate- fully, ‘and I'll sign it on one condition.” ‘“ What is that?” asked the woman, ‘‘'That I am allowed to go free.” She laughed at him. ‘T can answer that for you,” spoke up Dead- wood Dick, The woman stepped forward and said some~ thing in a low tone. Instantly the man’s face took on a look of abject terror, and he gasped: “Yes, Pll sign, freely and willingly, if you will only keep that secret.” ‘““Then we'll have you sign,” she said, coldly. “T will give my word to keep that, since you are likely to be punished enough as it is,” Whatever the secret was, it was something that carried ber out in her demand, and the sig- nature was put to the paper, the witnesses at- testing it. ‘‘ Now,” said Dick, ‘‘ we will take you out and let you see your band brought into town prison- ers. We have got them, every one, except those who are dead, and I guess we have got them, too.’ About that time a shout was heard without, and they knew the prisoners were being brought in. Dick and Kate led their new prisoners out, and when the others came up, put them at the head of the line, and so marched them to the space in front of the hotel and saloon. There Dick addressed the crowd, telling all about the case, but as it is now well known to the reader, it is not necessary to give it here. Besides, lack of room forbids the attempt, Let the imagination picture it as it was, The prisoners were taken care of, and a large crowd went back to the cavern to see the coun- terfeiters’ den and to help Dick in the work of burying the dead. Thestuff out of the cavern was brought to the eamp, where Dick held pos- session of it till he could turn it over to the proper authorities, Alban Sturgiss was the “Jim Fiddler” who had been playing such a peculiar role for so long atime. No one had ever seen Fiddler, so far as could be learned, and he was, in the fact of the case, a fictitious personage. Fergurson Finn turned out to be a rascally detective, one whom Dick had downed on another occasion, and who was in with Sturgiss in bis present evil work. It was the evil detective who bad first guessed Dick’s identity, and when all disguise was re- moved, Dick had no trouble in recognizing him. The Zenaide Pentree was a young woman of no character who had been used as a bandy tool in passing the bad money. And the others, every one of them, had more or less crimes traced to their doors, and all eventually received the pun- ishment they so richly deserved. They were taken away by the stage on its next trip. Dick and his bride were heartly cheered, as the stage rolled away and they rode after it on their mules, and a hearty cheering greeted their final farewell, They had made a lasting im- pression there. And the last thing they heard was Tecumseh singing: ‘A frog!—he would!—a woo!—ing go! Whether !—his mother !—would let ’m!—or no! Sing aes ! caeey |—diddley !—doo!—de doo! e- 00 ” THE END.
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BEADLE’S«H ALF-J)IME«[_IBRARY. Published Every - a 632 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton. 632 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector; or, The Dead- wood Desperado’s Last Innings. By J. W. Osbon. 634 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant; or, The True Hearts of Red Eye Roost. By Buckskin Sam, 635 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout; or, The Boomer’s Last Battle. By P. 5S. Warne. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr, After the Queer; or, Saw- dust Sara’s Last Green Game. By Edward L. Wheeler, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. Harbaugb. 638 Tom Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. 639 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, By Jo Pierce, 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, By J. C, Cowdrick. 641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard; or, The Clew to Captain Claw. By Williara G, Patten, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. By Edward L. Wheeler. 643 Happy Harry's Big Find; or, The Beautiful Jezobel’s Last Stake. By P. 8. Warne. 644 The Hercules Highwayman; or, The Mounted Miners of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingraham, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. By T. C. Harbaugh. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective; or, The Grand Corral at Cross-Notech. By Lieut. A, K. Sims, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward; or, Amateur Detective against Professional. by J. C. Gowdrick. 648 Deadwood Dick Jr’s. Chase Across the Conti- nent, By Edward L. Wheeler. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set. By Jo Pierce. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Pard. By Col. P. Ingraham. 651 Bound-Boy Frank.the Young Amateur Detective, By William G, Patten, 652 Don Barr, the Plain’sI'reelance. By Ol Coomes, 653 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Har- baugh. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. By Edward L. Wheeler. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By C. Morris. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 658 Sky-R »cket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm- Waif of Giant’s Boot. By Jo Pierce. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the “ Pizenest ’”’ Man of Ante Bar; or, Cibuta John’s Champion Chase, By J. ©. Cowdrick. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Insurance Case; or, Corraling a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ben, the Wildfire of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Specter Soldier of the Overland. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 663 Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jaspar City Clean Out. By William G: Patten. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special; or, The Life Racket at Rattlesnake Ridze. By P. S. Warne. 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective; or, Warbling William’s Home Run. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, . 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon’s Double Game. By Edward L, Wheeler. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives; or, The Gamin Spies’ Big Stake. By Charles Mormis. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Rover's Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Bravo in San Francisco. By J, C. Cowdrick. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The Rival Ranchmen. By Oll Coomes, 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower.’ By T. OC. Harbaugh. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango; or, ‘* Gathered In.” By Edward L, Wheeler. 673 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detec- tive. By A, F. Holt. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. By Oolonel Prentiss Ingraham, 675 Broadway Billy’s Best: or, Beating San Fran- cisco’s Finest. By J. C. Cowdrick. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout; or, The Tussle at the Big Bonanza. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 677 Chincapin Dan’s Second Trail; or, The Baffled Black Hawk’s Fate, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. By ae L. Wheeler. ° 679 ‘'he Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. BYt< 0, 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance; or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, By Oll Coomes. 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle; or, Double Curve Dan’s Dead Ball. By Georgo C. Jenks. 682 Wild Vulcan, the Long Range Rider, By William G. Patten. 683 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator; or, The Unseen Enemy. By Jo Pierce. 684 Deadwood Dick’s Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza, By Edward L. Wheeler. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective; or Breaking the Eureka Spider’s Web. By tT. ©. Harbaugh. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 687 Broadway my in Clover; or, Tre Ruction at Lake Tulare. By J. C. Cowdrick. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch; or, The Con- spirators of No Man’s Land. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy; or, Working out The Mys- tery of Two Lives. by Lieut, A. K, Sims. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Dollars; or, The Humming Bird of Honeysuckle. By Edward L. Wheeler, 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul; or, The Railroad Pards’ Big Day. By A. F. Holt. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Ser- vice Scout. By Col, P. Ingraham. 693 Violet and Daisy, the Posy Pards; or, The Racket at Red Hot. Ry Wm. G. Patten. 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind; or, Head- ing Off the Crooks. By Jo Pierce. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, De- veloping the Dead Secret, By E. L. Wheeler. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, Rounding Up the Red River Rustlers. By J. C. Cowdrick,. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head; or, Light- heart Luke’s Clean Sweep. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 699 Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, Playing the Foo! for Big Stakes. By Lieutenant A. K. Sims, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler, 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C, Harbaugh. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Ranger's Red Hot Racket. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 703 Broadway Billy’s Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot: or, Making Crooked Things Straight. By Ed. L., Wheeler. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. By William G. Patten. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Pacer. By Jo rierce. 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or. Redfern’s Last Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s Winning Hand. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr, 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. _By Charles Morris, 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L. ‘Wheeler. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Pard De- tectives’ Clever Deal. By J. ©. Cowdrick, 712 The Mesmerist Sport; or, The Mystified Detec- tive. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 3 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. (he Be Col. Prentiss qugrehan: ld Misery, the Man from Missouri; or, The ag Mehacy of the Mountain League, By Wm. G. Patten, 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or, Caging the Cormorants. By T. C. Harbaugh. 716 D od Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or, The Sec- ona eoand in San Francisco, By Edward L, Wheeler, 717 Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike's Grand Catch. By Jo Pierce, 718 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail: or, The Gold Crater’s Secret. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 719 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnap- per. By Col Prentiss Ingraham. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin De- tective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By J. C, Cowdrick, a 721 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border, By Edward L. Wheeler, 723 Silverblade, the Shoshone; or, The Border Beagie’s Secret Mission. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 724 Violet Vane’s Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out at White Water, By William G. Patten. 725 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill's Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 726 Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid; or, The Covers and Blinds of Gotham, By Jo Pierce, 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen, By Col. A, F. Hoit. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. By Edward L. Wheeler. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, the Border Beagle at Bay. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 730 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City. By Wm, G. Patten, 731 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Sbadower: or, The Rivals in Buckskin, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 782 Daisy Dell, the Pavement Detective: or, Trap- ping Big Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 733 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or, Unearthing the Cavern League. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 734 Deadweod Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All- Around Surprise. By Edward L. Wheeler, 735 Broadway Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Canyon Camp. By J. 0. Cowdrick, 736 Larry, the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every side. By George C. Jenks. 737 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buck- skin Sam to the Rescue. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- ham. ?38 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The Mys- terious Disappearance at Manitou Springs. By J. O. Cowarick, 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Ghost Trail, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 741 Violet Vane, the Ab igs og Vidoeq; or, Sport against Sport. By Wm, G. Patten, "42 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective; or, Break- ing the Meshes of the Golden Coil, By T. C, Harbaugh. 743 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or, The Water Waif’s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, The Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret_Service Spv; or, Too uch for Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, the Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. By Joseph KE, Badger, Jr. 749 Dashing Charlie, the Young Scalp-Taker; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail. By Col, Prentiss ingraham. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Strug- gle at Shanty City. By Wm. G. Patten, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol, By John W, Osbon, 52 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance. By Edward L. ‘Wheeler, 758 Broadway Billy iv Denver; or, The On-the-Catch Combination. By J. C. Cowdrick, 734 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. By T. 0. Harbaugh. ' 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. By J. W. Osbon, Roady January 12, 756 Dashing Charlie’s Des ; or, The "s Captive. EY, ‘rent Yograbame A new issue every Tuesday, The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent. by mall, on receipt of six cents each. } BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers. 98 William street, New York,
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Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, 35 Deadwio! Dick in his Castle; or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Clvude Duval, 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miuer, 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha O}l, the Masked Terror, 57 oer Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Mood Bar, %3 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up, 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy Rover. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroxe for Liberty. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, 29 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorygon’s Gulch, 88 sii apts Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde ill, 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A. Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; The Picked Party. 195 Pees Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 a5 Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills ez~bel. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Lust Adventure, 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam, 232 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Eigle Bar. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of S vamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ovean to Ocean. 309 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal: or, The Gold Brick of Gregon. $21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Poantom Flats, 347 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. 351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, or, 362 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A Cute Case. 4380 ae ee Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 445 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned. 453 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferret. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Racket at Claim 10; or; Polo Fly, of Phenix, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane. 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in gPeadwood ; or, Moll Mystery. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of the West. - 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Mon Cristo, Jr. 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance; or, Fatal Footsteps, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three; or The “ Bel- lerin’ Bull” of Bismark, 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, 534 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cowl, the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarcbist’s Daughter. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island; or, The “ Piping” of Polly Pilgrim. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom, 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Saten. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville, or, | 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land; or, Golconda, the Gladiator. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s Last Green Game. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers, or, Cleaning Out the Gulf Gang. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Insurance Case; or, Corraling a Cunning Trio, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon’s Double Game. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango; or, 678 654 ** Gathered In,” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery ; or, Found a Fortune. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing the Dead Secret, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., im San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap-Shot, %16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Siill Hunt; or, The Second Round in San Francisco, 922 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron, 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise, %40 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mosery at Mexican Mustang. 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance. Issues to Follow: 7583 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On-the- Catch Combination, By J, C. Cowdrick. 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy-Shadower. By T, C, Harbaugh. For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.